Home: Specialty Centres: Women's Health Centre: Clinics: Osteoporosis Clinic - FAQ

Osteoporosis Clinic - FAQ

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture, particularly of the hip, spine and wrist. Osteoporosis is often known as "the silent thief" because bone loss occurs without symptoms.

What causes osteoporosis?

No single cause for osteoporosis has been identified. However, certain factors, called risk factors do seem to play a role:

• increasing age
• family history
• having a vertebral compression fracture, or a fracture with minimal trauma after age 40
• long-term (more than 3 months) use of certain medications, like prednisone or cortisone
• medical conditions (such as celiac or Crohn's disease) that interfere with absorption of nutrients
• primary hyperparathyroidism
• tendency to fall (epilepsy, alcoholism)
• osteopenia that is noticeable on x-ray
• hypogonadism
• early menopause (before age 45)
• rheumatoid arthritis
• hyperthyroidism
• prolonged use of anticonvulsants
• low body weight (below 57 kg/125lbs)
• low calcium intake
• excess caffeine
• excess alcohol
• smoking
• sedentary lifestyle

Women in menopause are especially at risk because estrogen plays a role in keeping bones healthy. As estrogen levels decline and a loss of bone tissue begins, a two to five percent decrease a year can occur for the first five to 10 years after menopause .

What is the test for osteoporosis?

The most common bone density test in use today is called dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), or bone densitometry. This test involves lying on a table for several minutes while a scan of your lower spine and hip is done. The test is safe and painless and does not require any injections or any other discomfort.

What can I do to help prevent osteoporosis?

• Physical activity can help to reduce the risk of falls. Certain exercises, referred to as weight bearing exercise, can help prevent further bone loss.
• A well-balanced diet, with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is essential.
• Early and regular testing, as indicated is also very important.

How much calcium and vitamin D do I need?

The Osteoporosis Society of Canada recommends the following intake of calcium and Vitamin D every day to maintain strong bones:

Can osteoporosis be cured?

There are a number of drug treatments available. The goal of treatment is to reduce fracture risk. Several of these drugs are also used for prevention of osteoporosis in people at high risk for developing the disease.

Still have questions? Check out these Web sites for more information.

• National Osteoporsis Foundation: www.nof.org/
• Osteoporosis Canada: www.osteoporosis.ca/
• Osteoporosis & Related Bone Diseases - National Resource Center (NIH): www.osteo.org/
• Osteoporosis Center (U.S.): www.endocrineweb.com/osteoporosis
• International Osteoporosis Foundation: www.osteofound.org/