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Bone density disorders are focus of Wellness Wednesday

The MUSC Wellness Wednesday program will focus on bone density problems and how to avoid them in the Children’s Hospital lobby from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17. The session will offer information pertaining to exercise and the prevention and management of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Annie Lovering and Annie Cruzan are hosting the topic.
 
The American Council on Exercise states that osteoporosis is “a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone strength, leading to bone fragility and an increased risk of fracture.” With osteoporosis, the bones actually become porous or thin, also called a brittle bone disease. Osteopenia describes low bone density and can develop into osteoporosis if bone density increases.
 
The entire skeletal system is affected although the hip, spine and wrist account for a majority of the fracture sites. More than 500,000 are vertebral, 300,000 hip, 200,000 wrist and still another 300,000 other bones are fractured each year. Seventy percent of hip fractures are related to osteoporosis. Twenty percent of those with hip fractures die and 50 percent of those surviving result in disabilities.
 
Approximately 10 million Americans are estimated to have osteoporosis, 2 million of which are men and the other 8 million women. Another 34 million Americans are also thought to be at increased risk for the disease. Greater risk female groups are of Caucasian, Hispanic or Asian descent, have fair complexion with a small body frame, and have a family history of osteoporosis. Other uncontrolled risk factors are age, early onset menopause (lack of estrogen), and other chronic diseases.
 
The good news is there are some risk factors you can control by managing your lifestyle. They include:
  • Taking recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D;
  • Avoiding smoking;
  • Avoiding excessive alcohol;
  • Having a bone density test and taking medications if recommended; and
  • Doing regular weight-bearing exercising.
 
Osteopenia and osteoporosis can be detected by a bone density test. A survey of women age 45 to 75 showed three out of four of them had never talked to their doctor about osteoporosis. Anyone feeling at risk for osteopenia or osteoporosis should take action and talk to a doctor.
 
Once a diagnosis has been made, a treatment plan to manage osteopenia or osteoporosis would include, among other things, exercise. Aerobic and strength training activities that are both safe and effective should be considered. Aerobic exercise that is weight-bearing and low impact (as in walking, climbing stairs or dancing) can be performed most days of the week. Resistance activities such as weight training should also be done twice or three days per week.
 
For more specifics on these recommendations, talk with your health care provider, stop by on Wellness Wednesday May 17, or contact Annie Cruzan at the Harper Student Center. Hand outs on the do’s and don’ts of exercising with osteoporosis and osteopenia will be provided. Be sure to clear exercise programs with a physician first.

Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health First. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA, and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.

Friday, May 12, 2006
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.