Women, for the most part are unfamiliar with the physiological changes that may result in osteoporosis in the post-menopausal years. Most women are unaware of their condition until they suffer their first painful fracture. Early awareness and intervention such as healthy diet and exercise can play a major role in preventing this silent disease, but there is much that can be done once the condition has been diagnosed.

FACTS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW

	Osteoporosis is a progressive condition of bone loss leading to increased risk of fractures and chronic bone pain.
	Osteoporosis generally affects women ages 65 to 84.
	Over the age of 65, almost 30 percent of women who are not taking some form of osteoporosis therapy preventive are classified as suffering from osteoporosis.
	Almost all women (93 percent) with osteoporosis were unaware of their condition when they were diagnosed.
	A recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) study reports that 90 percent of women don’t get the calcium needed for healthy bones in later years, however one in three households take some type of calcium supplement.

A CONDITION ON THE RISE

	Patient visits for osteoporosis have increased 132 percent since 1995.
	The number of women being treated for osteoporosis has grown 170 percent over the last three and a half years.
	At least 1.5 million bone fractures (wrist, vertebral, hip and rib) attributable to osteoporosis occur per year in the US. These fractures directly limit one's mobility and independence.

WOMEN’S ATTITUDES TOWARD OSTEOPOROSIS

	Seventy percent of women are not very familiar with the condition of osteoporosis.
	Roughly the same percentage of women (70%) who are at risk for osteoporosis do not take calcium supplements.
	Those women approaching menopause and those with more education are the most familiar with osteoporosis symptoms and treatment.

RECOGNIZING THE SYMPTOMS

	Many osteoporosis sufferers are not aware of their condition until they experience a bone fracture.
	Repeated fractures may cause acute and chronic back pain, and may accompany a significant loss of height. In addition, both gastrointestinal and respiratory problems can occur as a result of the ribcage moving down to meet the pelvis.

TODAY’S TREATMENT OPTIONS

	Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been associated with benefits such as increasing bonedensity. In spite of this, only 24 percent of women who are candidates for HRT received therapy.
	Calcium supplements are the second most popular product for osteoporosis treatment and prevention.
	A well-balanced calcium-rich diet, active lifestyle including weight-bearing exercise, limited caffeine and alcohol consumption and not smoking will all help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
	Other currently available treatment options for osteoporosis are limited by their increased incidence of gastrointestinal side effects and hot flashes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control, Prevention and National Drugs and Therapeutic Index, Health Research Laboratories1998.

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