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senior living
Busting myths and misconceptions about osteoporosis
One in two women over the age of 50
will suff er a fracture caused by osteoporosis
in her remaining lifetime. Despite
its prevalence, there are many myths
and misconceptions about this “silent”
disease. Th ese myths may be a reason
why osteoporosis is underdiagnosed and
undertreated.
A fragility fracture (breaking a bone
by falling from a standing height or
lower) can impact day-to-day life, but
it can also be an indicator for osteoporosis
in postmenopausal women. When
you have osteoporosis, even daily tasks
such as taking your dog for a walk
can put you at risk for a fragility fracture
of the wrist, leg or even hip. But, a
startling 82 percent of postmenopausal
women did not identify such fractures
as a possible risk factor for osteoporosis,
according to results from a recent online
survey of over 1,000 postmenopausal
women conducted by Harris Poll on
behalf of Radius Health, in partnership
with HealthyWomen and the National
Osteoporosis Foundation.
Th at fi rst fracture should be your cue
to talk to your health care professional
about treatment options that may lower
your risk of breaking a bone again.
“It is critical that postmenopausal
women do not dismiss seemingly insignifi
cant fragility fractures as ‘clumsiness,’
but instead see them as an important
indicator for bone fragility, disease
progression and the need for intervention,”
says Dr. Andrea Singer, MD,
FACP, CCD, clinical director and
trustee of the National Osteoporosis
Foundation.
Th is is just one myth about osteoporosis.
Th ere are many others, including:
Myth: Osteoporosis only
aff ects the elderly.
Truth: Osteoporosis often affects
women aft er menopause. Natural menopause
can occur as early as age 50. Th e
rate of bone loss aft er menopause is
increased with the accompanying loss of
estrogen. Osteoporosis is a progressive
disease that lowers the density of bones
over time, making them weaker and more
likely to fracture.
Myth: Osteoporosis
isn’t very common.
Truth: Ten million Americans are estimated
to have osteoporosis, and more
than 8 million of those are women.
Myth: Osteoporosis
isn’t that serious.
Truth: More women over the age of 55
were hospitalized in the United States for
osteoporosis-related fractures than for
stroke, heart attack or breast cancer. Yet,
according to the survey, postmenopausal
women were more likely to be concerned
with a diagnosis of stroke, heart attack
and breast cancer than osteoporosis.
Myth: Health care providers
will tell you when it’s time
to test for osteoporosis.
Truth: Research suggests only 2 in 10
older women in the United States who suffer
a fracture are tested or treated for osteoporosis.
Furthermore, according to the survey,
96 percent of postmenopausal women
who have not yet been diagnosed with
osteoporosis and who suff ered a fragility
fracture were not told by their health care
provider it could be linked to osteoporosis.
Myth: Getting enough calcium
and vitamin D is enough
to treat osteoporosis.
Truth: About 3 in 10 postmenopausal
women incorrectly believe that drinking
milk or taking calcium supplements
alone will prevent osteoporotic fractures/
breaks, the survey found. While getting
enough calcium and vitamin D is critical
to keep bones strong, it may not be
enough when it comes to treating osteoporosis
in postmenopausal women, especially
aft er a fracture. It’s important to
learn about osteoporosis and talk to your
health care professional.
Myth: There is no way to build
new bone after menopause.
Truth: About one-quarter of postmenopausal
women incorrectly believe there
is no way to build new bone at their age,
the survey found. Th e truth is that certain
types of treatment for postmenopausal
osteoporosis can help build new bone,
while others help slow bone loss.
Separating the truths from the myths
is an important step in pursuing appropriate
care for bone health aft er menopause.
To get more information about
osteoporosis, visit the Fractured Truth
website at www.fracturedtruths.com. To
learn more and fi nd a community of supportive
women, visit the Fractured Truth
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/
FracturedTruth.
Courtesy BPT