Osteoporosis Sourcebook, 2nd Ed.

Many people think of bones as only simple, solid structures that make up the skeletal system. In truth, bones are complex, living tissues that go through a constant process of building up and tearing down. This process, called bone remodeling, rebuilds bones as people age and grow. One of the main components of bone is calcium. In fact, the skeletal system contains 99 percent of the body’s calcium. In osteoporosis, which literally means porous bones, excessive bone loss results in a depletion of calcium. The gradual weakening of the bones over time makes them more susceptible to fractures and can lead to disfigurement and pain. Most people reach a peak bone mass between the ages of 25 and 35. By age 40, bone loss usually reaches 0.5 percent per year. Postmenopausal women can lose 2 to 3 percent per year and can have lost 50 percent of their bone mass by age 70 or 80.

In osteoporosis, bone loss accelerates. Since the loss occurs over time, the effect may not be noticed until substantial bone loss has occurred, often signaled by an unexpected fracture. Osteoporosis cannot be detected by x-ray until the bone loss has reached 30 to 50 percent of bone mass by which time the calcium depletion cannot be reversed. Because of this, prevention and early diagnosis are critical.

Osteoporosis Sourcebook, Second Edition, provides information so that the layperson can identify the important risk factors of osteoporosis and the life-style changes needed to offset them. It provides answers to questions about calcium intake and supplements and other dietary needs, hormone replacement therapies, the drugs used to treat osteoporosis, and surgical options. It also suggests coping strategies for those suffering from the disease and provides a glossary of related terms and a directory of resources.

This book is divided into parts and chapters. Parts focus on broad areas of interest. Chapters are devoted to single topics within a part.

Part I: Osteoporosis: An Overview begins with an introduction to osteoporosis and gives a brief insight into the risk factors and preventive measures of the disease. It talks about the basic structure and functions of the bone and highlights the factors that influence/affect the bone health. The final chapter in this part distinguishes osteoporosis from arthritis and emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis.

Part II: Osteoporosis in Specific Population outlines the impact of osteoporosis and its costs, both monetary and in terms of health effects, for various segments of society such as African-American women, Asian-American women, Latina women, Hispanic women, kids, young adults, and old men.

Part III: Osteoporosis and Other Conditions provides information about diseases and conditions that lead to or aggravate osteoporosis or that have symptoms similar to those produced by osteoporosis. The conditions include dripping candle wax bone disease, fibrous dysplasia, Gaucher disease, hearing loss, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, hypophosphatasia, inflammatory bowel disease, myeloma bone disease, oral health, osteopetrosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, and Paget Disease.

Part IV: Risk Factors and Prevention of Osteoporosis discusses in detail about the factors that lead to osteoporosis and suggests healthy lifestyle choices to minimize those factors.

Part V: Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporosis traces the process of diagnosing osteoporosis as early as possible and treating the condition effectively. It reviews the various options in drug and surgical therapies and points out their drawbacks and limitations.

Part VI: Living with Osteoporosis deals with the impact to osteoporosis on an individual as well as the society. It explains how lifestyle changes can help patients with osteoporosis lead a healthy life. The part concludes with the strategies to cope up with the chronic pain caused by the disease.

Part VII: Additional Help and Information provides a glossary of osteoporosis-related terminology and a list of resources for patients with osteoporosis or related conditions.