Featuring Dr. Tasha Bienert, MD

Who is Affected by Osteoporosis? Duration: 1 minute, 24 seconds

Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone mineral density, or bone mass.

This is important because it increases your risk of fracture in the body. One in four women over the age of 50 will have osteoporosis, however this isn't just a women's condition; one in eight men will also develop osteoporosis over their lifetime.

Important fracture risk with osteoporosis includes spinal fractures; these fractures involve the lumbar or vertebrae of the back, most often the lumbar area and can cause disfigurement as well as chronic pain. The other area of fracture risk is hip, and hip fracture is a major concern of the population. In patients who develop hip fracture, 80% of those will have had osteoporosis; the importance of knowing this is 20% of patients who have hip fracture will die within the next year.

If you think you may have low bone mass, it's important to speak with your family physician, because there are a few things you can do. One includes there's screening with bone mineral density as well there's guidelines for lifestyle management. This includes adequate calcium intake, adequate vitamin D intake, as well as fitness goals.

If you feel you may be at risk for low mineral density or you have a family history of this do speak with your family physician.

Presenter: Dr. Tasha Bienert, Family Doctor, Vancouver, BC

Local Practitioners: Family Doctor