Osteoporosis can affect everybody, particularly post-menopausal women. Although it is a disease more prevalent in women, men are affected too. It is a silent disease, as it never causes any symptoms unless you get a fracture when your bones become too brittle.

          You may break your wrist or hip, or develop a spinal compression fracture with very minimal trauma or a trivial fall, if you have osteoporosis. It is only when you develop a fracture that osteoporosis causes pain. Compression fracture of the spine, particularly, may lead to persistent pain that is often disabling.

          Prevention is key in the treatment of osteoporosis, and knowing your likelihood of developing fragile bones in the future is the first step. There are certain risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing osteoporosis. These include being female - especially those who are thin and small framed. If anybody in your family has had osteoporosis - like your mother, chances are you will develop osteoporosis, too. Post-menopause, whether early or surgically induced (total hysterectomy) and absence of menstrual periods are also leading risk factors. Certain medications like corticosteroids and anti-convulsants, when taken for a prolonged period of time, increase bone fragility. Cigarette smoking does not only cause lung problems, but also accelerates bones loss. Lastly, lack of exercise or a sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to your bone health. In men, a low testosterone level is considered a risk.

          Once you have recognized your own risks, especially if you have more than one, make time to consult your personal doctor. He or she can help you determine if you need to undergo bone mineral density (BMD) testing. A BMD test measures the density of the bone in your spine, hip and/or wrist. It is a very safe, painless and non-invasive procedure, and it is the only way to diagnose and determine the severity of osteoporosis.

          I usually recommend BMD testing routinely to my patients who are over sixty-five regardless of their risk. I also recommend BMD testing to patients under sixty-five with multiple risk factors, and post-menopausal women who have had fractures. The test results help me to decide the kind of treatment needed. Repeating the test every two years after initiating therapy helps to gauge the patient's response to therapy.

          Many patients often ask about the necessity for calcium in maintaining bone health. Without any doubt, I say that calcium is a necessity in every diet. Calcium plays a role in nerve conduction and maintaining a good heart contraction. We all shed calcium everyday through our urine, feces, skin, hair and nails. If we do not replace what is lost, our body will continue to withdraw calcium from the bones. In the long run our bones will become fragile. This process takes a long time and is accelerated in the first ten years after menopause.

          Food is the best source of calcium - particularly dairy products. Unfortunately, most people don't get enough calcium through their diet. Today's teenagers don't drink enough milk, a good source of calcium. This is sad because it is during the teenage years that peak bone mass is achieved. We need between 1000-1500 mg. of calcium daily. If we don't get that from our diet, there are various over-the-counter calcium supplements available.

          Currently, prescription medications called biphosphonates help maintain and decrease bone loss progression and fractures. As with any drug, there are some side effects, so your doctor always needs to make sure of your need before prescribing any drug. Of course, hormone replacement or estrogen replacement therapies are still the cornerstone therapies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. You and your doctor need to balance its beneficial effects, as well as the risks involved.