Beating brittle bones
BY DIANA ROSSETTI GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

Internal-medicine physician Pam Peeke has one passion above all others — the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

"Osteoporosis thins and weakens bones, and women often don't know they are at risk until a sudden bump or fall causes a fracture," she said.

Raising awareness

Peeke said a Harris interactive poll of more than 1,000 women showed that women who are the most knowledgeable about osteoporosis are the most likely to follow a healthy diet, do regular weightbearing exercise and have regular bone-density testing.

The lack of knowledge and action related to bone health revealed by the survey, she said, could have serious consequences, because one in two women older than 50 is predicted Health news to break a bone due to osteoporosis in her remaining lifetime. Fractures could be directly or indirectly responsible for pain or disability.

Lifestyle changes

Peeke drives home her point that lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping to prevent osteoporosis. An athlete herself, she not only enjoys fitness activities for their own sake but also for the health benefits she derives from them.

"You have to take your health into your own hands. The survey showed that women are not taking responsibility for monitoring their own future health. If they put it on the back burner, they'll never have the bone density scan."

New treatments

At Mercy Medical Center in Canton, Ohio, board-certified

pharmacist Julie Drake works as an acute-care pharmacist. news

"Of course, the lifestyle changes and the calcium with Vitamin D supplements are the first line," Drake said. "But when women do need prescription medications, they have so many choices that I think many are pretty excited."

"There is light at the end of the tunnel for women who are concerned about the costs. Osteoporosis medications are so long-acting, that they are saying now that five years of treatment provides 10 years of protection for the average woman who is not at high risk," she said.

Women who ignore the recommendations for regular bone-density scans and supplements or prescription therapy after menopause are at high risk for fractures. There are no advance symptoms and when the fracture occurs, the future bone health of the patient hangs in the balance.