Pathways to Learning

1. Pathways to Learning

2. Osteoporosis: A Preventable Epidemic

3. Objectives • Define osteoporosis and its causes • Identify risk factors of osteoporosis and who may be at risk • State strategies for preventing osteoporosis • Identify treatment options for osteoporosis

4. What is a Rehabilitation Nurse? • This program is sponsored by the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN). Rehabilitation nurses assist people with physical disabilities and chronic disease to achieve optimal health and provide community programs to help prevent disability.

5. What is Osteoporosis? • Chronic, progressive disease in which bones lose their normal hardness • Can result in weakened bones and fractures • A silent disease

6. Why is Osteoporosis an Epidemic? • Most common disease in the world • 13-18% of postmenopausal women in the U.S. • 30-50% of postmenopausal women have low bone mass • Osteoporosis is not a normal part of aging

7. What’s the Problem? • Disabling fractures • Fatal complications • Most commonly affected are the bones in the spine and hip

8. Who is at Risk? • Both men and women are at risk, but risk is higher for women • Women have lower bone mass • A woman’s risk of hip fracture equal to combined risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer.

9. Risk Factors: Not Controllable • Caucasian or Asian ancestry • History of fractures in your family • Advancing age • Female sex

10. Risk Factors: Controllable • Quit smoking • Avoid excessive alcohol intake • Keep body weight above 127 pounds • Take estrogen replacement therapy if you are a post-menopausal woman • Make sure that you consume enough calcium • Participate in weight bearing exercises regularly

11. What is a Bone Density Test? • Measures the strength of bone • Can help predict fracture risk • Provides information for doctor

12. Who Should Get a Bone Density Test? • All post-menopausal women under 65 who have one or more risk factors • All women 65 and older • Post-menopausal women who have had a fracture • Women who are uncertain about taking hormone replacement therapy

13. Prevention • Take in enough calcium and Vitamin D everyday • Exercise regularly • Avoid the controllable risk factors

14. Calcium • Adults between 19 and 50 should consume 1000 mg of calcium daily • Women 51 and older should consume 1500 mg daily • Men over 65 should consume 1500 mg daily • Best sources of calcium are dairy products

15. Vitamin D • Helps body absorb calcium • Good sources include: fortified milk, cereals, egg yolk, and salt water fish

16. Calcium Supplements • Calcium carbonate and calcium citrate • Elemental calcium • Take supplements with food • Ask your doctor about the best supplement for you

17. Example of Daily Intake Leona is 84 years old. She has never taken hormone replacement therapy and she has osteoporosis. Her daily calcium requirement is 1500 mg. She eats cereal at breakfast with one cup of milk (150 mg) and ½ cup of calcium fortified orange juice (150 mg). She eats a cup of low-fat yogurt for lunch (300 mg) and a low-fat cheese sandwich (150 mg). Along with her dinner, she has ½ cup of cottage cheese (150 mg). She takes in about 900 mg through her diet. She needs to take 600 mg of a calcium supplement. For maximum absorption, she should divide this dose between two meals.

18. Treatment Options • Hormone replacement therapy • Evista • Fosamax • Actonel • Miacalcin

19. What Else Can I Do? • Be careful to avoid falls • Make sure to have vision problems corrected • If needed, wear glasses at all times • Exercise • Avoid heavy lifting

20. How Can I Help My Family Prevent Osteoporosis? • Prevention begins in childhood with good eating and exercise habits • Talk to daughters and grand-daughters about calcium requirements • Educate them about risk factors • Be a healthy role model

21. Resources • National Osteoporosis Foundation Internet Address: www.nof.org Phone: 202/223-2226

22. Thank you!