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Introduction
  Remember the old lady down the block with the "hump" in
her back?- Maybe you have had an aunt or grandmother with this
"hump" too.
- Until recently this was accepted as a normal part of the
aging process.
It is not normal.
The hump that you
might have seen
in other women is a direct sign of osteoporosis
or "brittle bone" disease.
 Osteoporosis affects over 50% of all women and
is responsible for thousands of deaths from hip fractures every year. In fact,
osteoporosis kills more women every year than breast cancer.
Osteoporosis is a silent, crippling, and often deadly disease. Until recently the
only way a woman knew she had osteoporosis was when she broke a bone; many times this was
too late.
Today we have advanced tests that not only tell if we have osteoporosis but also IF we are
likely to develop this disease.
It can be
prevented & reversed
The good news is that we not only can PREVENT osteoporosis
but we can also REVERSE the ravages of this horrible condition.
  Dr.
Miriam Nelson has written an incredible book, Strong Women, Strong Bones that deals with
osteoporosis. As a writer and expert in women's health she has also written two
other best sellers Strong Women Stay Young and Strong Women Stay Slim. Her book Strong
Women, Strong Bones has been widely praised by other health experts and has landed on the
New York Times best seller's list. For the past 10 years Dr. Nelson has been the
lead investigator of studies on strength training for women and writes a monthly column
for Prevention magazine. Dr nelson is Director of the Center for Physical Activity
Programs and Policy at the School of Nutrition Science at Tufts University.
Strong Women Strong Bones is the most comprehensive and thorough book for good bone
health. Dr. Nelson, through her expertise and dedication to help women see strength
training, nutrition, and other life-activities, has worked tirelessly to help women have
active and full lives. Her book is not only meant for older women but for younger
ones as well. It is the bone that we make while we are younger that will help
us keep bone mass as we grow older.
I'm very happy to talk with her today. Good to meet you Dr. Nelson.
DEXA
scans vs. Ultrasound tests
Sue:
DEXA scans are
usually used to determined bone density. A new test involving ultrasonography has
been developed and is in current use. How does this new test stack up against the
DEXA scan- in terms of its accuracy and reliability and who should have this new test
done? Where can a woman get this test done?
Miriam:
Ultrasound
has become widely available throughout this country and abroad. It is an accurate
test that usually measures the heel bone on the foot - but can also measure sites such as
the knee and hands. It cannot measure the hip or spine. The results reflect not only
density but also properties of collagen in the bone. While this information is helpful
because results are strongly correlated with fracture risk, it is not a substitute for
direct measurement of hip or spine bone density with DEXA.
Ultrasound is recommended as a screening tool for
women who are younger or who lack the funds to have a DEXA performed.
If a person has an ultrasound test and the results are not
favorable then they need to have a DEXA scan performed. Ultrasound devices are available
at hospitals and in some doctor's offices. There is no radiation involved in the test.
When
is the right time for the test?
Sue:
When should a woman get her first bone density scan and which type should it
be-ultrasound or DEXA? Do you feel that women who have yet hit menopause, but are
definitely experiencing perimenopause would benefit from a bone density test and why?
Miriam:
- Menopause
Any women who is has gone through menopause should have a baseline bone density
test performed using DEXA. This baseline knowledge will help the woman determine the best
strategies for reducing further loss of bone.
- Perimenopause
If a women is perimenopausal and at high risk for osteoporosis they should talk
with their doctor about having a DEXA scan done.
- High Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
Any premenopausal woman who has a major risk factor for osteoporosis (prednisone
use, thyroid disorders, eating disorders, etc.) should have a bone density test. When ever
possible, a woman should have a DEXA test done.
- Premenopausal women who have access to an ultrasound test
can be helpful in determining the status of their bones. Knowing your bone density can
greatly help any woman determine best strategies for building and maintaining bone as they
grow older.
Bone Loss in Teeth
Sue:
I have done quite a bit of reading about osteoporosis. One item I have yet
to read about is tooth loss in women going through perimenopause and menopause, though I
hear from women from my online support group and the ones who visit my web site HotFlash! that
they have more root canals and other dental problems during perimenopause. Do you
think there is a connection between this and osteoporosis?
Miriam:
Certainly women who have osteoporosis
experience greater loss of teeth as they grow older and other dental problems. Whether
osteoporosis is contributing to more root canals is a question that has not been addressed
yet. One thing that some women need to understand is that eating disorders such as bulimia
can contribute greatly to poor bone health and dental problems - so this is something to
watch out for.
Osteoporosis
Medications
Sue:
Your book Strong Women, Strong Bones is a complete and thorough guide for every
women, whether they want to prevent osteoporosis or reverse it or stop the effects of
this disease. There are a lot of new medications for the treatment of osteoporosis, can
you tell us which ones seem to be the most effective and why?
Miriam:
There is a complete chapter in Strong Women, Strong Bones on medication
management.
There are now five FDA approved medications:
The decision to take a medication or combination of
medications needs to be made between a patient and a well informed doctor. There is no
doubt that these medications are more effective when combined with good nutrition and
exercise.
Exercise
& Osteoporosis
Sue:
You have provided a series of excellent exercises and terrific lifestyle ideas
that when done over a period of time will work to strengthen bones and prevent
osteoporosis. Many women feel they have enough "time" before they need to
get involved in a plan to help their bones. How would you motivate women to accept
that now is the time and not later?
Miriam:
It is a myth that just little old ladies get osteoporosis. There are numerous
women in their 30 and 40 who have already developed osteoporosis. Women need to understand
that achieving peek bone mass in their early twenties, and maintaining bone as best as
possible is the sure fire way to prevent osteoporosis. Starting in our mid thirties we
lose a half to one percent of our bone density each year. This disease causes pain,
disability and disfigurement. Women have to take charge of their bone health at the
earliest possible age so that their bones will last a lifetime.
Women need to also understand that they can exercise at
home, they can squeeze exercise in at work. They just need to make time for themselves
just a few minutes a week can make the difference.
Sue:
There are many bone building medications on the market. It can be very
confusing. How can a woman make her best decision as to which medication to take
whether as a preventative measure against osteoporosis or as a therapy for reversing
the effects of osteoporosis?
Miriam:
Reading my book will help!! The decision of when to take medications, which
one(s) to take is one that needs to be made with a well informed doctor who knows the
woman's medical history and her bone density. We are lucky because we now have a choice in
medications - only a few years ago we had just HRT, now we
have other medications to choose from.
Book excerpt:
Strong Women, Strong Bones:
Everything You Need to Know to Prevent, Treat, and Beat Osteoporosis
by Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., Sarah Wernick
Chapter 5:
Put your bones to the test
 see
this FREE excerpt
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