Worried about broken bones? 28 million Americans are at high risk for broken bones because of osteoporosis, a common and "silent" illness where the bones become thin and weak. One out of two women and one out of eight men over the age of fifty will have an osteoporosis related fracture. In 2002, there are projected to be 300,000 hip fractures, 750,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000 wrist fractures and 300,000 other sites of fractures-all related to osteoporosis. The cost is projected to be 13 billion dollars.

Osteoporosis is a condition with decreased bone mass due to loss of calcium from the bones. After age 35, everyone loses more calcium from the bone than the bone receives-and the problem starts. At menopause women lose calcium 5-7 times as fast for a period of three years. Other people at risk include thin people, older people, being a woman, inactive lifestyle, eating a diet low in calcium and cigarette smoking (there are other risk factors).

Detection is easy! New diagnostic tests can tell if you need to be treated. The best test is a DEXA-SCAN which is painless and lets the doctor know if you might be headed for the dreaded broken bone. If the scan shows low bone density (thin bones), treatment can put the calcium back in the bones. Your doctor will help you decide the best treatment between estrogens, Miacalcin, Actonel, Fosamax or Evista. All of these medications are effective in most people in putting calcium back in the bones.

Whoops! Don't forget prevention. A healthy lifestyle of exercise (both aerobic and weight bearing) and diet rich in calcium are important. Most people do not get enough calcium in their diet and supplements are frequently advised. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about the type calcium for you. Men need 500 mg calcium two times a day and women need 500 mg calcium three times a day. If you are smoking or using alcohol in excess, beware, you are also increasing your risk for this silent but dangerous illness.

If you have a question for Dr. Bob, write "The Dr. Bob Show" at 6700 Baum Drive, Suite 1, Knoxville, TN 37919 or send your e-mail to letters@drbobshow.com