Don't be dense -- osteoporosis can affect everyone -- even you

May 3, 2006

By RAJINA R. RANADIVE

Forty-five million Ameri-cans suffer from low bone mass osteopenia, or thinning of the bones (osteoporosis). One out of every two women and one out of every four men in the U.S. are expected to suffer an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.

There are many myths about osteoporosis and the treatments available. I'm going to dispel those myths and share the exciting breakthroughs in treatment. -->

Dispelling the myths

Myth No. 1: This is a disease of the elderly.

The truth: You are especially at risk if you have undergone early menopause, or suffered from anorexia nervosa, or used steroids or anti-seizure medications. Smoking cigarettes and excessive alcohol use can also put you at risk.

Myth No. 2: Only older white women suffer from osteoporosis.

The truth: Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races. Low-calcium diet and an inactive lifestyle put everyone at risk.

Myth No. 3: Diagnosing osteoporosis is lengthy and painful.

The truth: a bone density screening is painless and takes less than 10 minutes. The most accurate testing is done by DXA scan. Petaluma Valley Hospital's Dr. David Chappell's office, at 141 Lynch Creek Way, Suite A in Petaluma, can provide this screening. Call 762-0001 to schedule an appointment.

Myth No. 4: Once you get osteoporosis, nothing can be done.

The truth: There are many treatments available; in fact, recent advances allow for oral, subcutaneous or intravenous regimens.

Your best defense

The best defense against osteoporosis shouldn't come as a shock to Petalumans who live here in the heart of dairy country. Make sure you consume the required amount of calcium and vitamin D your body needs to develop and maintain strong, healthy bones.

In fact, adequate calcium and vitamin D will slow or even stop age-related bone loss. It's very important that your kids are getting plenty of calcium early in life.

Your best offense

If you have low bone mass and calcium and Vitamin D are not enough, there are a variety of medications that can be used to treat osteopenia and osteoporosis. I want to touch on a few and tell you about their benefits.

Let's start with the bisphosphonates which help build bone and reduce fracture rate. Alendronate (fosamax), and Risedronate (actonel) are available in daily or weekly therapy.

Studies show that they reduce incidence of fractures at the spine and hip. Ibandronate (boniva) is the first monthly pill available to treat any chronic disease. It is also given every three months intravenously. It reduces fracture rate at the spine.

Reloxifen (Evista) is effective in preventing postmenopausal bone loss.

Forteo is a bone-building medication modeled after the parathyroid hormone. This is one of the most effective treatments to date for osteoporosis. It reduces fracture rate in post-menopausal women by 65 percent. This is an 18-month regimen given as daily injections.

You should talk to your physician about the medication that is best for you.

Osteoporosis is a silent disease. It can strike you without you even knowing it. Take ownership of your bone health and don't wait until it's too late.

(Dr. Rajina Ranadive is a private practice internal medicine physician with Petaluma Valley Hospital. She is a graduate of Ross University Medical School in San Diego and did her residency work at New York Methodist Memorial Hosp-ital.)

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Recommended daily calicium intake in millligrams per day:

Birth to 6 months: 400

6 months to 1 year: 600

1 to 10: 800-1,200

11-24: 1,200-1,500

25-50: 1,000 (women and men)

51-64: 1,000 (women on ERT and men)

51 and older: 1,500 (women not on ERT)

65 or older: 1,500

Pregnant or lactating: 1,200-1,500.

-- Adapated from the National Institues of Health