76 THE QUEENS COURIER • WELLNESS • OCTOBER 12, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
wellness
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
suff er 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 suffered
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.
World Osteoporosis Day is October
20.
Courtesy BPT