Table of Contents
Osteoporosis For Dummies
About the Authors
Dedications
Author Acknowledgments
Contents at a Glance
Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
What You’re Not to Read
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I: Understanding Your Bones
Chapter 1: Boning Up on Osteoporosis
Defining Osteoporosis
Who, Me? How Osteoporosis May Affect You
Why Early Diagnosis Is So Important
Improving Your Peak Bone Density — And Your Children’s
Evaluating Osteoporosis Therapy
Terminology 101: Keeping Your “Osteos” Straight
Chapter 2: Loving the Living Tissue Called Bone
Understanding Your Living Skeleton
Meeting Your Bones
Modeling and Remodeling
Building Up and Breaking Down: Your Bones Day by Day
Your Bones from Birth to Infinity: More Stuff to Know
Chapter 3: Breaking Down the Risk Factors
Assessing Your Risk Factors: Which Women Get Osteoporosis?
Focusing on Lifestyle Factors
Recognizing Medications That Cause Bone Loss
How Gastrointestinal Problems Can Affect Your Bones
Noting Other Diseases Associated with Osteoporosis
Reducing the Risks of Getting Osteoporosis
Chapter 4: Men and Kids Get Osteoporosis, Too
Taking a Closer Look at Who Else Gets Osteoporosis
Focusing on Osteoporosis in Men
Why Too Thin Is Bad for Bones — Especially in Teens
Yes, Little Kids Can Have Osteoporosis
Part II: Keeping Your Bones Healthy
Chapter 5: Eating Right for Good Bones
Getting Enough Calcium in Your Diet
Examining the Critical Role of Vitamin D
Nutrients You Probably Never Think About
Setting Down the Saltshaker
High Protein or Low Protein?
Assessing Alcohol in Your Diet
Decreasing Caffeine: Does it Matter?
Looking At How Your Weight Affects Your Bones
Chapter 6: Exercising for Strong Bones
Starting While You’re Still Young
Moving Your Bones to Build More Bone
Developing an Exercise Plan
Avoiding Injury While Exercising
Getting Down to the Nitty-Gritty: Choosing an Exercise Routine
Part III: Diagnosing and Treating Osteoporosis
Chapter 7: Facing the Consequences of Bones Gone Bad
Aging and Your Bones
Facing Fragility Fractures
Breaking Bones – Different Types of Fractures
Chapter 8: Finding (and Paying For) a Doctor to Treat Osteoporosis
I Looked in the Phonebook, But I Couldn’t Find Any Bone-ologists
Preparing to Meet the Doctor
Team Tactics: Setting Up a Care Plan with Your Doctor
Getting the Most Out of Your Insurance Plan
Chapter 9: Testing Your Bones
What’s Bone Density Testing, Anyway?
Deciding When to Have a Bone Density Test
DXA, SXA, PDXA, and More — Understanding This Alphabet Soup
Testing Bones in Other Ways
Interpreting the Results of Your DXA
Knowing How Often You Need a Bone Density Test
Chapter 10: Taking Prescription Drugs for Osteoporosis
Sorting Out the Different Types of Drug Treatment
Looking at Bisphosphonates for Building Up Bone
The Estrogen Replacement Controversy
Calcitonin: An Old Medication Standby
Building Bone with Teripeptides
Exploring New Directions in Medication
Chapter 11: Keeping Bones Strong with Over-the-Counter Supplements
Why Vitamin D Is a Major Player
Overdoing Vitamin A
Confronting the Cacophony of Calcium Supplements
Chapter 12: Managing Pain from Osteoporosis
Recognizing the Real Pain of Osteoporosis
“Oh, My Aching Back!”
Treating Acute Pain from a Fracture
Treating Chronic Pain: What to Do When Pain Goes On and On
Dealing with Pain without Medication
Chapter 13: Recovering from a Fracture When You Have Osteoporosis
Checking for Osteoporosis after a Fracture
Preventing Falls
Recognizing Breaks and What’s Most Likely to Break
How Long Does Bone Take to Heal?
Reducing the Chance of Another Fracture
Chapter 14: Focusing on the Future of Osteoporosis
Improving Osteoporosis Prevention
Looking at Future Technologies for Your Bones
Finding Future Medications
Repairing Collapsed Vertebrae: A New Surgical Treatment
Fighting Osteoporosis on an International Level
Battling Osteoporosis in the United States
Ongoing Research Regarding Osteoporosis
Part IV: The Part of Tens
Chapter 15: Ten Surprising Sources of Calcium
Drinking Mineral Water
Going Beyond Leafy Green Veggies
Munching on Nuts and Seeds
Eating Tacos for Dinner
Sending Out for Pizza
Taking One Latte to Go!
Chugging a Little OJ Today
Adding a Little Molasses
Indulging on Chocolate Cake
Powdering with a Different Twist
Chapter 16: Ten Things You Need to Know about Bones
Broken Bones Hurt!
Broken Bones Can Make You Sick — or Worse
Increasing Calcium Certainly Helps Decrease Fractures
Milk Is Really Important to Bone
You Don’t Get a Second Chance at Building Bone
Today’s Bad Habits Lead to Tomorrow’s Bone Loss
Getting Shorter Is No Fun at All
Your Bones Are a Storehouse of Necessary Minerals
Broken Bones Cost Society a Ton of Money
Bones Turn Over All the Time
Chapter 17: Ten Resources for Finding Out More about Osteoporosis
Staying Up-to-Date with the NOF
Relying on the NIH
Utilizing Expert Medical Facilities
Joining a Support Group
Chatting Online about Osteoporosis
Reading Books
Watching Videos
Talking with Your Doctor about Osteoporosis
Visiting Your Favorite Physical Therapist
Going Online for the Latest Information
Chapter 18: Top Ten Questions Dr. O’Connor’s Patients Ask about Osteoporosis
What’s the Best Type of Calcium for Me?
How Much Calcium Do I Need Each Day?
I Drink Plenty of Milk. Isn’t That Enough Calcium for My Bones?
What Exercises Are Best for Preventing Osteoporosis?
What’s the Difference between Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis?
My Back Hurts. Is That My Osteoporosis?
What Else Can I Do to Improve Bone Strength?
My Family Doc Recommended a Bone Density Study. How Is It Done?
Which Is Better, Alendronate or Risedronate?
I’ve Had a Curved Spine Since My Teenage Years. Do I Have Osteoporosis?
Chapter 19: Ten (Or So) Parenting Tips to Build Strong Bones
The More You Exercise, the Stronger Your Bones Will Be
Drinking Milk Daily Builds Big Benefits for Bones
Shopping Wisely Is Worth the Extra Time
Don’t Let Lactose Intolerance Rob Your Child of Calcium
Avoid Carbonated Beverages
Watch for Signs of Anorexia
Know Your Family History
Set an Example about Eating Healthy
Help Your Teen Avoid Cigarettes and Alcohol
Appendix: Reviewing Osteoporosis Programs State by State
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Glossary
Index
