11/22/2025
Osteoporosis is a common disease among older adults that weakens bones and increases the likelihood of fractures.
Worldwide, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men older than 50 years have a bone fracture due to during their lifetime.
Hip fractures are the most serious consequence to prevent as about 24% of people with a hip fracture die within a year of their fracture.
Risk factors:
-aging
-female s*x
-prior fractures or falls
-low mass (frailty)
-parent who had a hip fracture;
-steroid medications (ie prednisone) -cigarette smoking
-excessive use;
-inflammatory disease (ie IBD, RA)
-menopause before age 40 years.
Osteoporosis has no symptoms unless suffering a painful fracture.
Screen for and diagnose osteoporosis via DEXA (measures calcium and other minerals in the bones, bone mineral density (BMD). Reported as a T score, compares a BMD with that of a young adult. T score of −2.5 or less = osteoporosis; also osteopenia (low BMD) and high fracture risk or actually having a fracture = osteoporosis.
The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) predicts risk of hip, spine, shoulder, or forearm fracture over the next 10 years.
Prevention:
Dietary calcium (1000-1200 mg daily) -cheese/yogurt/milk
-green leafy veggies
-fortified foods,
-soy or oat milk
Vitamin D (600-800 international units daily) from sunlight, eggs, and fatty fish
Supplementation may be necessary.
Lifestyle
- : balance, strength, and resistance training are critical to help older adults prevent fractures 🏋️♀️
-avoiding cigarette smoking
-minimal daily alcohol consumption are critical.
hormone therapy, in those in whom indicated and not contraindicated, can be very beneficial in menopause.
Treatments your doc may discuss:
Antiresorptive drugs decrease the natural breakdown of bone tissue and help reduce spine and hip fractures among high-risk patients.
Anabolic medications help prevent fractures by stimulating bone formation.
Screening
All females 65 years or older & men 70 years should be screened. Younger females and men often have risk factors for osteoporosis and should be screened much earlier.
The Patient Page 2025
