employee health series bone health & osteoporosis

Employee Health Series

Bone Health & Osteoporosis

Course Information

Course Editor: Lynne Presley, Oklahoma Correctional Training Academy- Norman.

Data Sources:

Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, Surgeon General, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, October 14, 2004.

Bone Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, May 22, 2007.

Mike Jackson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections

Deardi Wabaunsee, R.N., Nurse-Manager of Medical Services, Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections

Course Released: July 1, 2008

Course Credit: 30 minutes

Oracle Course # SAFI08027

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the roles bones play in the body2. Define the term "peak bone mass"3. Recognize that osteoporosis leads to low bone mass

and deterioration of bone tissue4. Name the risk factors for osteoporosis5. Understand the role that diet and exercise play in

preventing osteoporosis

Introduction

A healthy skeletal system with strong bones is essential to overall health and quality of life.

However, many Americans suffer from bone disease and fractures, much of which could be prevented.

Statistics from the Surgeon General

• An estimated 10 million Americans over age 50 have osteoporosis (bone disease)

• 34 million Americans are at risk for osteoporosis

• An estimated 1.5 million people each year suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture

• 20% of senior citizens who suffer a hip fracture die within one year

• One out of every two women over 50 will have an osteoporosis- related fracture in their lifetime

• Due primarily to the aging of the population and the previous lack of focus on bone health, the number of hip fractures in the U.S. could double or even triple by the year 2020.

Statistics from the Surgeon General

Hope is not lost. Over the past several decades, scientists have learned a significant amount about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of bone disease. Our next and most critical step is to transfer this knowledge from the research laboratories to the general population.

Bone Health

Bones play many roles in the body. They provide structure, protect organs, anchor muscles, and store calcium. Adequate calcium consumption and weight-bearing physical activity build strong bones, optimizes bone mass, and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.

Peak Bone Mass

Peak bone mass refers to the genetic potential for bone density. By the age of 20, the average woman has acquired most of her skeletal mass. A large decline in bone mass occurs in older adults, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.

For many women, the risk of osteoporosis occurs around

the time of menopause.

Bone Health

Peak Bone Mass

It is important for children, particularly girls, to reach their peak bone mass in order to maintain bone health throughout life. A person with high bone mass as a young adult will be more likely to have a higher bone mass later in life. Inadequate calcium consumption and lack of physical activity early on could result in a failure to achieve peak bone mass in adulthood.

Graph courtesy of U.S. Surgeon General, 2000.

Bone Health

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis or "porous bone" is a disease of the skeletal system characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. Osteoporosis leads to an increased risk of bone fractures typically in the wrist, hip and spine.

Illustration courtesy of Centers for Disease Control

Bone Health

Osteoporosis Risk Factors

While men and women of all ages and ethnicities can develop osteoporosis, some of the risk factors include those who are:

• Female

• White/Caucasian

• Post-menopausal women

• Older adults

• Small in body size

• Eating a diet low in calcium

• Physically inactive

Bone Health

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral needed by the body for healthy bones, teeth, and proper function of the heart, muscles, and nerves. The body cannot produce calcium; therefore, it must be absorbed through food. Good sources of calcium include:

• Dairy products – low fat or nonfat milk, cheese and yogurt

• Dark green leafy vegetables – bok choy and broccoli

• Calcium-fortified foods – orange juice, cereal, bread, soy beverages, and tofu products

• Nuts - almonds

Bone Health

Ages Amount mg/day

Birth – 6 months 210

6 months- 1 year 270

1-3 years 500

4-8 years 800

9-18 years 1300

Calcium

The recommended amount of calcium varies for individuals. Below is a table of adequate intakes as outlined by the National Academy of Science:

Ages Amount mg/day

19-50 years 1000

51 or older 1200

Pregnant & Lactating

14-18 years 1300

19-50 years 1000

Bone Health

Weight-Bearing Physical Activity

Like proper calcium consumption, adequate weight-bearing physical activity early in life is important in reaching peak bone mass. Some examples of weight-bearing activities include:

• Walking, jogging, hiking, and running

• Tennis, racquetball, basketball, and soccer

• Stair climbing

• Jumping rope

• Dancing

• Weight-lifting

Bone Health


Incorporating weight-bearing physical activity into an exercise plan is a great way to keep bones healthy and meet physical activity recommendations set forth in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Bone Health

Bone Health


ADULTS

Should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most, preferably

all, days of the week.


CHILDREN

Should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity on most, preferably

all, days of the week.

Bone Health

Medical Options

So, is there something else you can do, besides diet and exercise, to help prevent and treat osteoporosis?

Absolutely! Your health services professional may recommend that you undergo a bone density test, particularly if you're a member of a group that has a high risk of osteoporosis.

Patient undergoing a bone density test.

Medical Options

How does the test work?

A bone density test uses special X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals - collectively known as bone mineral content - are packed into a segment of bone.

The higher your mineral content, the denser your bones. And the denser your bones, the stronger they generally are and the less likely they are to break.

Doctors use a bone density test to determine if you have, or are at risk of, osteoporosis.

Medical Options

Medications are also available that can help stabilize and restore bone density, and decrease the risk of fractures.

There are two types of drugs used to treat osteoporosis:

• Antiresorptive Drugs: These drugs block resorption (bone break down) and slow the rate of bone remodeling, but they cannot rebuild bone.

• Anabolic, or Bone-Forming, Drugs: These drugs rebuild bone.

Course Review

“Self-Test”

Course Review: Question 1

1. Bones . . .

Click here for correct

answerAnswer: D.

Click here for next question

A. Provide body structure

B. Protect organs

C. Store calcium

D. All of the above


2. For many women, the risk of osteoporosis occurs around the time of


answerAnswer: C.


A. Puberty

B. Childbirth

C. Menopause


3. Osteoporosis is a disease of the


answerAnswer: B.


A. Endocrine system

B. Skeletal system

C. Lungs


4. Men are more likely than women to suffer from osteoporosis.


answerAnswer: B.


A. True

B. False


5. The human body produces calcium when it is exposed to sunlight.


answerAnswer: B.


A. True

B. False


6. Which age group requires the highest level of calcium each day?


answerAnswer: B.


A. Birth – 6 months old

B. 9 – 18 years old

C. 19 – 50 years old


7. Stair-climbing is a weight-bearing exercise.


answerAnswer: A.


A. True

B. False

Conclusion

According to the Surgeon General of the United States, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of bone disease and fractures by following the nutrition and exercise guidelines outlined in this course.

Want to Learn More?

Take the online "Osteoporosis Diet Quiz" to see how much you know about the care and feeding of your skeleton!

http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoporosis/quizzes-254100.html?ic=4004



employee health series bone health & osteoporosis

Documents

bone health slide

peak bone mass peak

osteoporosis bone disease

bone health bones

bone density

high bone mass

low bone mass

higher bone mass