, Contents
Foreword vii
Introduction ix
Part 1. An Overview of Osteoporosis and Bone Development 1
Questions 1–11 describe the physiology of bone development and how osteoporosis
and osteopenia occur, including:
• What is osteoporosis, and what does it look like?
• Why is it important to know about osteoporosis?
• If we “lose bone,” where does it go? Can it be replaced once it’s lost?
• What does menopause have to do with osteoporosis? Are there different types
of osteoporosis?
Part 2. Risk Factors and Testing 17
Questions 12–40 address the risk factors associated with osteoporosis, who should
be tested, and how osteoporosis is diagnosed, including:
• Who gets osteoporosis?
• Could I be taking any medications that affect bone health?
• Can my clinician tell if I have osteoporosis during my annual check-up?
• How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
• My test results were reported as a T-score to my clinician. What is a T-score?
• What do my results say about my future risk for fracturing a bone?
Part 3. Lifestyle Changes and Treatments 75
Questions 41–71 address lifestyle changes, exercise, calcium requirements and
supplements, prescription medications, and other management strategies for
osteoporosis and osteopenia, including:
• After I’m diagnosed with osteoporosis or told that I have osteopenia, what
happens next?
• I understand that exercise is important for the treatment of osteoporosis. Why?
• My clinician has encouraged me to take calcium supplements. There are so many
kinds of calcium. How do I know I’m taking the right kind and the right amount?
• What types of medication are usually prescribed for osteoporosis?
• I’ve reached menopause and my clinician wants to treat my hot flashes with
estrogen because estrogen will also help prevent more bone loss. Is this true?
• Are there any complementary or alternative therapies that are effective for
osteoporosis or osteopenia? Can I have a massage or will that hurt my bones?
, 100 Q&A ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOPENIA
Part 4. Living with Osteoporosis 187
Questions 72–89 address the risk of fractures, preventing falls, and
other lifestyle issues related to living with osteoporosis, including:
• Which bones am I more likely to break?
• I always hear about older folks fracturing hips. Is this because
of osteoporosis or because of the frequency of falls? How are
broken hips repaired?
• It’s hard not to think about my bones being weak. How do
I keep osteoporosis from interfering with my life?
• Besides adding calcium and Vitamin D, should I be changing
anything in my diet? I heard that drinking alcohol could increase
my risk of osteoporosis. Do I have to stop drinking entirely?
Part 5. Prevention and Going Forward 233
Questions 90–100 describe the prevention of osteoporosis in all age
groups, talking to friends and family about osteoporosis, the future
developments related to treating it, and where to go for more
information, including:
• I’m worried that my daughter who is 40 will get osteoporosis.
How can she prevent this from happening to her?
• What about my granddaughter? She is only 16. Should I also
worry about my grandson?
• What should I tell my family about osteoporosis? Will it curtail
activities with them?
• Osteoporosis seems to be featured in the news almost daily.
What are some of the future treatments? Are there any new
drugs that are being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment
of osteoporosis?
• Where should I go for more information? Resources include
organizations, Internet Web sites, and book and journal references.
Appendix A 259
This appendix provides drawings of exercises with step-by-step
instructions.
Appendix B 265
This appendix gives a list of organizations and Web sites that will
provide additional information about osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Bibliography 274
Glossary 291
Index 301
vi
, PART FIVE
ONE
An Overview
of Osteoporosis
and Bone
Development
What is osteoporosis, and what does it look like?
Why is it important to know about osteoporosis?
If we “lose bone,” where does it go? Can it be
replaced once it’s lost?
What does menopause have to do with osteoporosis?
Are there different types of osteoporosis?
More...
Foreword vii
Introduction ix
Part 1. An Overview of Osteoporosis and Bone Development 1
Questions 1–11 describe the physiology of bone development and how osteoporosis
and osteopenia occur, including:
• What is osteoporosis, and what does it look like?
• Why is it important to know about osteoporosis?
• If we “lose bone,” where does it go? Can it be replaced once it’s lost?
• What does menopause have to do with osteoporosis? Are there different types
of osteoporosis?
Part 2. Risk Factors and Testing 17
Questions 12–40 address the risk factors associated with osteoporosis, who should
be tested, and how osteoporosis is diagnosed, including:
• Who gets osteoporosis?
• Could I be taking any medications that affect bone health?
• Can my clinician tell if I have osteoporosis during my annual check-up?
• How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
• My test results were reported as a T-score to my clinician. What is a T-score?
• What do my results say about my future risk for fracturing a bone?
Part 3. Lifestyle Changes and Treatments 75
Questions 41–71 address lifestyle changes, exercise, calcium requirements and
supplements, prescription medications, and other management strategies for
osteoporosis and osteopenia, including:
• After I’m diagnosed with osteoporosis or told that I have osteopenia, what
happens next?
• I understand that exercise is important for the treatment of osteoporosis. Why?
• My clinician has encouraged me to take calcium supplements. There are so many
kinds of calcium. How do I know I’m taking the right kind and the right amount?
• What types of medication are usually prescribed for osteoporosis?
• I’ve reached menopause and my clinician wants to treat my hot flashes with
estrogen because estrogen will also help prevent more bone loss. Is this true?
• Are there any complementary or alternative therapies that are effective for
osteoporosis or osteopenia? Can I have a massage or will that hurt my bones?
, 100 Q&A ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOPENIA
Part 4. Living with Osteoporosis 187
Questions 72–89 address the risk of fractures, preventing falls, and
other lifestyle issues related to living with osteoporosis, including:
• Which bones am I more likely to break?
• I always hear about older folks fracturing hips. Is this because
of osteoporosis or because of the frequency of falls? How are
broken hips repaired?
• It’s hard not to think about my bones being weak. How do
I keep osteoporosis from interfering with my life?
• Besides adding calcium and Vitamin D, should I be changing
anything in my diet? I heard that drinking alcohol could increase
my risk of osteoporosis. Do I have to stop drinking entirely?
Part 5. Prevention and Going Forward 233
Questions 90–100 describe the prevention of osteoporosis in all age
groups, talking to friends and family about osteoporosis, the future
developments related to treating it, and where to go for more
information, including:
• I’m worried that my daughter who is 40 will get osteoporosis.
How can she prevent this from happening to her?
• What about my granddaughter? She is only 16. Should I also
worry about my grandson?
• What should I tell my family about osteoporosis? Will it curtail
activities with them?
• Osteoporosis seems to be featured in the news almost daily.
What are some of the future treatments? Are there any new
drugs that are being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment
of osteoporosis?
• Where should I go for more information? Resources include
organizations, Internet Web sites, and book and journal references.
Appendix A 259
This appendix provides drawings of exercises with step-by-step
instructions.
Appendix B 265
This appendix gives a list of organizations and Web sites that will
provide additional information about osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Bibliography 274
Glossary 291
Index 301
vi
, PART FIVE
ONE
An Overview
of Osteoporosis
and Bone
Development
What is osteoporosis, and what does it look like?
Why is it important to know about osteoporosis?
If we “lose bone,” where does it go? Can it be
replaced once it’s lost?
What does menopause have to do with osteoporosis?
Are there different types of osteoporosis?
More...
