CentraState - Healthy Directions

All the Right Moves to Overcome Osteoporosis M arion Bauman of Monroe Township watched her grandmother and then her mother lose mobility and quality of life because of osteoporosis. She was determined not to go down the same path. As preventive measures, Marion, a registered nurse at CentraState Medical Center, ran, exercised regularly at a gym, and maintained a healthy diet. In 2003, the year she turned 50, Marion had her first bone densitometry test at CentraState's Women's Health Center. This non-invasive test uses X-ray technology to measure the density of the bones, allowing physicians to detect and treat bone loss before a fracture occurs. "Women who are at risk for osteoporosis typically begin bone densitometry around the age of menopause. Those at high risk may be referred for screening sooner," says Janet Spector, MD, board- certified radiologist with Freehold Radiology Group and lead radiologist for bone densitometry at the Women's Health Center. The test revealed that Marion had osteopenia, or lower-than-normal bone mass, putting her at risk for osteoporosis. She was disappointed, but continued to exercise. Her primary care doctor Miah Kim, DO, a board-certified family practice physician on staff at CentraState, also prescribed oral medication to prevent and treat osteoporosis. What Is Osteoporosis? Bones go through a cycle of loss and regrowth throughout our lives. As we age, more loss than growth can occur. This can lead to osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become thin and fragile and can break easily. Women tend to be at higher risk of osteoporosis because their bones are smaller and lighter than men's. Also, the female hormone estrogen protects against bone loss, and as women age, their bodies produce less estrogen. 10 September/October 2011 Marion Bauman combats osteoporosis with the help of weight and resistance training under the guidance of Paul Lenart, a certified personal trainer and assistant director of education at CentraState's Fitness and Wellness Center. Healthy Directions Janet Spector, MD, board-certified radiologist However, subsequent testing revealed that Marion still was losing bone mass. By 2009, she had developed osteoporosis in the femoral neck, a portion of the thighbone leading to the hip joint socket, on both sides. Miah Kim, DO, board-certified family practice physician In the hopes of preventing further bone loss and even building new bone, she began working with Paul Lenart, a certified personal trainer and assistant director of education at CentraState's Fitness and Wellness Center where Marion is a member. "Paul added weight and resistance training to my workout, which stimulates bone growth and increases my strength and stability," Marion says. "It's not enough to move your body. You have to move properly in the right sequence, stabilizing your core muscle groups and moving the extremities while keeping tension off the joints," Lenart says. Marion also met with a registered dietitian at CentraState's Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center (HAC) to learn how to best meet her special needs for calcium (which makes up the major part of bones and helps keep them strong) and vitamin D (which enables the body to absorb calcium). The results? "My last bone densitometry test in June 2010 showed the overall hip was normal for the first time in 10 years and the femoral neck went from osteoporosis to osteopenia," Marion says. For information about bone densitometry and other services at CentraState's Women's Health Center, call (732) 294-2778. For information about nutrition counseling and other services at the HAC, call (732) 308-0570. For information about the Fitness and Wellness Center, call (732) 845-9400. HD

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