What to know about osteoporosis risk, prevention and treatment

May marks Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, a time dedicated to educating people about bone health and the importance of early detection and lifestyle changes.

Dr. Stacy Chronister, an internal medicine specialist with OSU Medicine, joined us to discuss what osteoporosis is, how it develops, and how to manage or prevent it.

What Is Osteoporosis?

“Osteoporosis is where you start having actual holes in your bones,” Dr. Chronister explained. Before that stage, people may experience osteopenia, a condition where bones begin to thin.

Healthy bones have a dense, structured architecture, much like a building. Over time, this structure can weaken. “Osteopenia is where we start having thinning of that structure, and osteoporosis is where we start actually having some holes,” she said. Severe osteoporosis results in a dramatic loss of structure, making bones more susceptible to fractures.

Risk Factors And Who's At Risk

While aging is a natural contributor to bone thinning, several risk factors can accelerate bone loss. These include:

1. Smoking
2. Family history of osteoporosis or fractures
3. Low body weight
4. Lack of exercise
5. Steroid or alcohol use

Dr. Chronister also emphasized the role of hormones in maintaining bone health. “As we go through menopause and natural decline of our hormones, we start to see that those [bone cells] don’t function as well,” she said.

Certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, can also lead to early bone thinning. In those cases, early screening is crucial.

When And How To Get Screened

A bone density scan, also known as a DEXA scan, is the primary screening tool for osteoporosis. While screenings typically begin around age 65, people with risk factors may need them much earlier.

Dr. Chronister recommended starting as early as age 50 for individuals with significant risks, such as chemotherapy or long-term steroid use. “Try to use the same DEXA scanner over time if you can,” she advised, noting calibration differences between machines.

Preventive Measures And Lifestyle Tips

Exercise plays a major role in maintaining bone strength. “Exercise is the best way,” Dr. Chronister said. “We’re talking about something that is weight bearing—so walking, running, jogging. Anything that involves lifting weights.”

Swimming is excellent for cardiovascular health, but does not provide the bone-reinforcing impact needed to fight osteoporosis.

Diet and supplements also matter. Adults should aim for at least 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily, along with vitamin D. “A lot of us are not getting enough calcium, especially as we age,” Dr. Chronister said.

Dr. Chronister said foods like broccoli, almonds, and other richly colored fruits and vegetables also support bone health.