Date: Fri 18-Jul-1997

Publication: Hea

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

osteoporosis-bone-debilitating

Full Text:

Osteoporosis, The Silent Thief That Weakens Bones

BY KAAREN VALENTA

Twenty-five million Americans - most of them women - have osteoporosis, a

progressive, potentially debilitating disease that involves a weakening of the

bones and causes about 1.3 million fractures a year.

Known as a "silent thief," osteoporosis progresses without symptoms or pain.

Approximately half of all women 50 and older have osteoporosis and are at risk

of a related fracture of the wrist, hip, spine or other bone.

A woman's risk of hip fracture alone is equal to the combined risk of

developing breast, uterine or ovarian cancer - and up to one-fifth of the

women who experience a hip fracture die within one year of fracture.

Osteoporosis costs the nation a staggering $10 billion annually - more than

congestive heart failure or asthma. Most women with osteoporosis have not yet

been diagnosed or treated .

Using the latest medical equipment known as a bone densitometer, physicians

now can make an early diagnosis of osteoporosis, begin treatment and follow it

over time. Such equipment recently was installed at one of Danbury Hospital's

four specimen collection and osteoporosis testing facilities, the Southbury

facility located in Bennett's Square.

According to Bonnie Smith, manager of the hospital's specimen collection

facilities in Brookfield, Ridgefield, Newtown and Southbury, the bone

densitometer provides a rapid, painless, non-invasive, low-radiation scan of

the entire spine, providing information quickly for the health professionals

while saving area residents a trip to the hospital.

Bonnie Nezvesky, RN, is coordinator for the hospital's Osteoporosis Center of

Western Connecticut. Dr David Troch is the prevention and treatment center's

medical director. All are Newtown residents.

"Most women don't realize that if they are post-menopausal, they are at risk,"

Ms Nezvesky said. "Osteoporosis is treatable if it is detected early.

"When women think mammogram they also should be thinking about a baseline bone

density test ," she said. "Women must take an active role. They should ask

`What are my risks?'"

For post-menopausal women who have decided against taking estrogen (a hormone

which offers some protection against osteoporosis but may, in some cases,

increase the risk of breast cancer), there are now alternative drugs to treat

early osteoporosis.

" Fosamax was an injectable product until a year ago when it also became

available in oral doses," Ms Nezvesky said. " Miacalcin comes in the form of a

nasal spray."

The need to do something now is obvious, she said. As the number of elderly

people in the United States continues to increase - a result of the baby boom

years coupled with increases in life expectancy from better medical care - the

costs of hip fractures alone are estimated to reach $62 million by the year

2020 (based on 5 percent annual inflation).

"It is estimated that at age 50, a woman has a 40 percent chance of

experiencing an osteoporotic fracture sometime during her remaining lifetime,"

Ms Nezvesky said.

Risk Factors

Osteoporosis is a complex disease and not all of its causes are known.

However, when certain risk factors are present, your likelihood of developing

osteoporosis is increased. The following questions will help determine your

risk:

Do you have a small thin frame?

Do you have a family history of osteoporosis?

Are you a post-menopausal woman?

Have you had an early or surgically-induced menopause?

Have you (this includes men as well as women) been taking high doses of

thyroid medication or high or prolonged doses of cortisone-like drugs for

asthma, arthritis or other diseases?

Is your diet low in dairy products or other sources of calcium?

Do you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol in excess?

The more times you answer "yes," the greater your risk for developing

osteoporosis. If you are at risk or have been diagnosed with early

osteoporosis, your physician may prescribe a diet rich in calcium, a regular

exercise program and possible medical treatment. See your physician or contact

the Osteoporosis Center of Western Connecticut (an affiliate of Danbury

Hospital) at 41 Germantown Road in Danbury, 207-3325, on Monday through

Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm. Information is also available from the National

Osteoporosis Foundation at 1150 17th Street NW Suite 500, Washington, DC

20036-4603.