Elaine Huber, M.D., a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist at Somerset Medical Center, answers your questions about osteoporosis.

Q.  Who is at risk for osteoporosis?

A.  Despite the common myth, osteoporosis is not just a disease of elderly women. Bone loss begins to decrease as early as age 25, so everyone should take steps to maintain strong bones. Those at particular risk for osteoporosis include:

• post-menopausal women
• smokers
• people with eating disorders
• steroid users
• people who are thin or small-framed
• those with a family history of the disease

While the incidence of osteoporosis is highest among women, men are also susceptible to developing the disease. To assess your risk, click here. 

Q.  What can I do to prevent osteoporosis?

A.  There are many simple things you can do to keep your bones strong and prevent bone loss.

• Make sure you are getting the calcium you need. All women should get between 1,200 and 1,500 milligrams of calcium a day through milk, other dairy products, such as yogurt and cottage cheese, and calcium-rich foods, such as broccoli and salmon. There is also a wide selection of calcium supplements available. 
• Limit your intake of alcohol and carbonated beverages.
• Avoid steroids and cigarettes. 
• Perform regular weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging and aerobics.

Through Somerset Medical Center's new Osteoporosis Program, individuals can learn their risk for developing the disease and receive recommendations for dietary changes and exercises to help them sustain healthy bones. Exercise classes and personal training are also available at the medical center.

Q.  Who should be tested for osteoporosis?

A.  All women over the age of 60 should be tested for osteoporosis. Testing should be performed at an earlier age in men and women who are at high risk.

The most definitive way to diagnose osteoporosis is the dual-energy absorpitometry (DEXA) test. Somerset Medical Center offers this state-of-the-art low-level X-ray test to measure the bone density of the lumbar spine and hips, the two areas most likely to be fractured in people with osteoporosis. Test results are then compared with the normal bone density for a person of that age and gender.

Q.  If I am diagnosed with osteoporosis, is there anything I can do to regain my bone strength?

A.  For a post-menopausal woman, hormone replacement therapy is usually recommended to prevent further bone loss. Prescription medications such as fosamax, actonel and evista can also help with bone reformation. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment for you.

Q.  How serious is osteoporosis?

A.  Over 30 percent of post-menopausal women will develop osteoporosis. Of those, about a third will develop hip or spinal compression fractures because their bones are fragile and susceptible to breaks. Limited mobility caused by such injuries is one of the leading reasons for nursing home admissions. In some cases, bone fractures can also contribute to a person's death. Studies have shown that about a third of people who have hip fractures die from secondary complications such as pneumonia or blood clots.