100 Questions & Answers About Osteoporosis And Osteopenia

by Alexander, Ivy M., Ph.D.; KNIGHT, KARLA A.

• ISBN13: 9780763738549
• ISBN10: 0763738549
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-25
• Publisher: Jones & Bartlett

Summary

Approximately ten million Americans have osteoporosis and thirty-four million have osteopenia (low bone mass) and many millions are at risk. Whether you suspect you might have osteoporosis, you recently learned that you have bone loss, or are a friend or relative of someone with osteoporosis or osteopenia, this book offers help for men and women, young or old. 100 Questions & Answers About Osteoporosis and Osteopenia  provides authoritative, practical answers to your questions about treatment options, lifestyle decisions to improve bone health, sources of support, comments from men and women with bone loss, and much more. Written by a nurse practitioner and a nurse, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional challenges of osteoporosis and related conditions.  Winner of the 2008 Will Solimene Award of Excellence in Medical Communication!

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Introduction	ix
Part 1. An Overview of Osteoporosis and Bone Development	1	(16)
Questions 1-11 describe the physiology of bone development and how osteoporosis and osteopenia occur, including:
What is osteoporosis, and what does it look like?
Why is it important to know about osteoporosis?
If we "lose bone," where does it go? Can it be replaced once it's lost?
What does menopause have to do with osteoporosis? Are there different types of osteoporosis?
Part 2. Risk Factors and Testing	17	(58)
Questions 12-40 address the risk factors associated with osteoporosis, who should be tested, and how osteoporosis is diagnosed, induding:
Who gets osteoporosis?
Could I be taking any medications that affect bone health?
Can my clinician tell if I have osteoporosis during my annual check-up?
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
My test results were reported as a T-score to my clinician. What is a T-score?
What do my results say about my future risk for fracturing a bone?
Part 3. Lifestyle Changes and Treatments	75	(112)
Questions 41-71 address lifestyle changes, exercise, calcium requirements and supplements, prescription medications, and other management strategies for osteoporosis and osteopenia, including:
After I'm diagnosed with osteoporosis or told that I have osteopenia, what happens next?
I understand that exercise is important for the treatment of osteoporosis. Why?
My clinician has encouraged me to take calcium supplements. There are so many kinds of calcium. How do I know I'm taking the right kind and the right amount?
What types of medication are usually prescribed for osteoporosis?
I've reached menopause and my clinician wants to treat my hot flashes with estrogen because estrogen will also help prevent more bone loss. Is this true?
Are there any complementary or alternative therapies that are effective for osteoporosis or osteopenia? Can I have a massage or will that hurt my bones?
Part 4. Living with Osteoporosis	187	(46)
Questions 72-89 address the risk of fractures, preventing falls, and other lifestyle issues related to living with osteoporosis, including:
Which bones am I more likely to break?
I always hear about older folks fracturing hips. Is this because of osteoporosis or because of the frequency of falls? How are broken hips repaired?
It's hard not to think about my bones being weak. How do I keep osteoporosis from interfering with my life?
Besides adding calcium and Vitamin D, should I be changing anything in my diet? I heard that drinking alcohol could increase my risk of osteoporosis. Do I have to stop drinking entirely?
Part 5. Prevention and Going Forward	233	(26)
Questions 90-100 describe the prevention of osteoporosis in all age groups, talking to friends and family about osteoporosis, the future developments related to treating it, and where to go for more information, including:
I'm worried that my daughter who is 40 will get osteoporosis. How can she prevent this from happening to her?
What about my granddaughter? She is only 16. Should I also worry about my grandson?
What should I tell my family about osteoporosis? Will it curtail activities with them?
Osteoporosis seems to be featured in the news almost daily. What are some of the future treatments? Are there any new drugs that are being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of osteoporosis?
Where should I go for more information? Resources include organizations, Internet Web sites, and book and journal references.
Appendix A This appendix provides drawings of exercises with step-by-step instructions.	259	(6)
Appendix B This appendix gives a list of organizations and Web sites that will provide additional information about osteoporosis and osteopenia.	265	(9)
Bibliography	274	(17)
Glossary	291	(10)
Index	301