By Elena Voropay

Osteoporosis, a bone-weakening disease, causes 1.5 million fractures a year in the United States alone, 336,000 of them are hip fractures. According to National Osteoporosis Foundation, 44 million Americans, 80 percent of them are women, have this "silent disease" that progresses without any outward signs. The World Summit of Osteoporosis Societies estimates that as many as 200 million people worldwide have osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis, sometimes called "brittle bone disease," gets its name from the Latin tern for "porous bones." It develops gradually and makes bones so fragile that they fracture under normal use. Loss of height caused by collapsed spinal vertebrae is not uncommon. After women go through menopause, nearly one in three will develop osteoporosis. An estimated 12 to 20 percent of elderly people who have hip fractures die of complications within a year of the fracture, while 50 percent of the survivors need assistance with daily living activities.

The body's 206 bones, being complex living tissues, store calcium essential for bone density and strength to provide structural support for muscles and protect vital organs. Our dynamic skeleton renews itself throughout life. Peak bone density is achieved between the ages of 20 and 30. After the age of 50 adults begin to slowly lose bone mass.

Building strong bones in young age and then reducing bone loss will help prevent the expansion of osteoporosis. The prevalence of osteoporosis is generally found in adults that are older, Caucasian and Asian women, small-boned and thin individuals, menopausal and non-menstruating females, people with a history of smoking, drinking alcohol and coffee, and excessive consumption of protein and salt. Family history of osteoporosis also increases susceptibility to fracture

Currently there is no cure for osteoporosis but some treatments are available. The best known cure is prevention, and following these steps may put you on the road to greater bone mass:

* A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D

* Weight-bearing exercise

* A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol use

* And bone density testing and medications when appropriate

Calcium

Calcium is needed for the heart, muscles and nerves to function properly and for blood to clot. Inadequate calcium, along with other factors, is thought to contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Most women do not eat enough of this important mineral. Another important thing to consider is Calcium excretion. With high-protein diets being so popular, the risk for Calcium deficiency is increasing. The more protein you consume, the more calcium you excrete in your urine. Because your bones are your largest source of stored calcium, eating too much protein over a period of several months and years could increase your risk of osteoporosis. Depending on your age, an appropriate calcium intake falls between 1000 and 1300 mg a day. If you have difficulty getting enough calcium from the foods you eat, you may take a calcium supplement to make up the difference.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is needed for the body to absorb calcium. Without enough vitamin D, you will be unable to absorb calcium from the foods you eat, and your body will have to take calcium from your bones. Vitamin D comes from two sources: through the skin following direct exposure to sunlight and from the diet. Experts recommend a daily intake between 400 and 800 IU per day, which also can be obtained from fortified dairy products, egg yolks, saltwater fish and liver.

Exercise

Exercise is also important to good bone health. If you exercise regularly in childhood and adolescence, you are more likely to reach your peak bone density than those who are inactive. The best exercise for your bones is weight-bearing exercise such as walking, dancing, jogging, stair-climbing, racquet sports and hiking. If you have been sedentary most of your adult life, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program.

Medications for Prevention and Treatment

Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, five medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prevention and/or treatment of osteoporosis. Each of these medications slows or stops bone loss, increases bone density and reduces fracture risk. Estrogen replacement therapy or hormone replacement therapy (ERT/HRT), alendronate, raloxifene and risedronate may be prescribed to prevent osteoporosis, and ERT/HRT, calcitonin, raloxifene, alendronate and risedronate are prescribed to treat osteoporosis. Alendronate and risedronate are approved for use in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in both men and women.

Bone Mineral Density Tests

A Bone Mineral Density test (BMD) is the only way to diagnose osteoporosis and determine your risk for future fracture. Since osteoporosis can develop undetected for decades until a fracture occurs, early diagnosis is important. A BMD measures the density of your bones (bone mass) and is necessary to determine whether you need medication to help maintain your bone mass, prevent further bone loss and reduce fracture risk. A bone mineral density (BMD) test is a special type of test that is accurate, painless and noninvasive.