Osteoporosis can cause more problems than just a broken bone

About 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis.

Another 44 million have low bone density, placing them at increased risk, according to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation.

But it’s not that osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle, making them easy to break from even something as simple as coughing, said Mary Romanic, M.D., with Meritus Rheumatology.

“Broken bones and bone fractures can really impact people’s longevity and quality of life,” she said. “I tell all my patients that the most important thing to keep in mind about osteoporosis is that you want to survive the bone fracture and the time it takes to heal when that occurs.”

Dr. Romanic recommends post-menopausal women over age 65 should be screened for osteoporosis. She also suggests anyone who has a high risk — people who have chronic inflammatory or other diseases or use of medications such as steroids — also get checked.

The most common method to screen for osteoporosis is a DXA scan, which measures a person’s bone mineral density. That density is compared to a table of values that show if the patient’s results are in the range for osteoporosis or for being at risk.

Typically, the scan is ordered by the patient’s primary care provider, who would offer initial treatment. Scans are usually ordered once every two years. The provider would refer the patient to a rheumatologist or an endocrinologist if specialization is needed, Dr. Romanic said.

Popular media has long told the public that drinking milk and getting calcium prevent osteoporosis. But combating the disease takes more than just diet, Dr. Romanic said.

“Calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients are important, but they’re not enough to prevent it,” she said. “They provide the building blocks the body needs.”

Certain medications — pills, shots or intravenous — can also help, but Dr. Romanic said prevention starts with maintaining physical activity.

“We recommend an exercise regimen designed to promote bone health,” she said. “Research shows that load-bearing exercise has a positive impact on bones, if done properly.”

And it’s important to start the diet and exercise when the person is young, long before getting screened for osteoporosis.

People in their later years who break a bone are more likely to lie in bed for long periods of time, Dr. Romanic said. That can lead to health complications, meaning it’s not so much the broken bone that’s troubling.

“If those complications become severe enough, if the patient is not maintaining their health, then they’re not going to be able to overcome those complications when the bone is healed,” she said.

“It’s about common sense.”

To learn more about Meritus Rheumatology, please visit www.meritushealth.com/rheumatology.