Osteoporosis Screening Guidelines Updated

The Task Force has expanded its guidelines for osteoporosis screening recommendations to include those younger women who may be at risk for the incapacitating disease. This disease makes the bones adversely brittle and higher risk for fractures.

This guidelines which have just been released have been broadened to include all women 65 and older along with younger women who have a higher risk for bone fractures.

Dr. Ned Calonge, chair of the Task Force (USPSTF) expands it to any postmenopausal aged women who has a risk the same as a 65 year old.

Dr. Calonge cites the example could be a postmenopausal woman not yet 65 and weighs under 125, smokes, drinks and has parents with history of bone fractures. All of those factors increases the risk for osteoporosis.

The Task Force, which provides health-related recommendations after reviewing medical evidence and is sponsored by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and quality and which is comprised of an independent panel of experts in the area of preventive and primary care.

The guidelines advocate that practitioners and policymakers examine the evidence underlying the task force suggestions but also adjust their decisions to a specific patient or situation.

Dr. Calonge notes in the 2002 updated recommendations there was insufficient evidence to recommend women under 60 would benefit. However, do to more current research it does suggest that treating those women results in decreased fractures.

Osteoporosis screening is a test that patients should inquire about and clinicians should provide. The most commonly used tests to screen for bone health are dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the hip and lumbar spine and quantitative ultrasound of the heel according to the task force.

The task force also note therapies for prevention of bone fractures from osteoporosis which include adequate calcium intake and vitamin D, weight bearing exercises and several approved drug treatments.

The new report issued by the panel indicates about 12 million Americans over the age of 50 are predicted to have osteoporosis by 2012. Over half of all postmenopausal women will have a fracture associated to osteoporosis during their lifetime. Among those 15% will endure a hip fracture. Hip fractures are especially associated to pain, disability, loss of independence and higher risk for death

Those risks are not just for women. Men can develop osteoporosis even though the cases of men are less. One-third of men who suffer a hip fracture will die within a year.

Regardless of the fact the USPSTF had discovered insufficient evidence to recommend screenings for men. Dr. Calonge states this alerts science that there is significant research gap

These new recommendations are now much closer to the recommendations given by other groups such as the National Osteoporosis Foundation. President of the foundation, Dr. Robert Recker, states that the NOF now advocates bone mineral density for women 65 or older and postmenopausal women based upon their risk factors

In difference to the task force, the NOF also advocates testing for all men 70 years old and older. Also, for men aged 50 to 69 who have risk factors.

Dr. Recker notes that studies have proven that the management of osteoporosis is beneficial in the reduction of fracture rate and overall costs. One study had established that good management of osteoporosis decrease the hip fracture rate from 25 to 20 percent.

You can calculate your risk factor for osteoporosis at the National Osteoporosis Foundation online.

To aide in osteoporosis besides medications there are some natural remedies that have proven effective some of these include:

Supplements

These are not all the supplements available but some of the more noted ones

Calcium which can be found in supplements, dairy products, milk and green leafy vegetables.

Zinc an essential trace mineral found in supplements, sea food, whole grains, meat and liver

Herbs

Green tea a source of antioxidants.

Sage which can be purchases as a spice for cooking.

Chiropractic

If you have not had a fracture:

Can aide in further bone loss by providing proper exercise, nutritional and supplements which include calcium citrate, this form is quickly absorbed into the body.

If you had a fracture:

First x-rays of spine will be taken then a treatment plan is devised.

Orthopedic support and physical therapies.

Ice to decrease inflammation.

Tens unit may be used to control muscle spasms.

Exercise to strengthen the supporting ligaments and the muscles which support the spine.

Spinal adjustments have been an ongoing debate. They can be done if you suffer from osteoporosis due to the force remaining very low. You will need to seek a qualified chiropractic who has experience with osteoporosis.

Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture in several studies have shown positive outcomes on bone metabolism and serum estradiol levels.

Chinese herbs have also shown good results. These herbs are best prescribed by a Chinese medicine practitioner.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi may actually aide in maintaining bone mineral density. The benefits of Tai Chi are much like conventional exercise with the exception that Tai Chi can also improve balance, decrease frequency of falls and increase musculoskeletal strength. Sources:

Business Week

Discovery Hospital

Acupuncture - Osteoporosis

National Center for Alternative and Complimentary Medicine