acute pain – pain that starts suddenly; may be described as severe or sharp.

alendronate – a bisphosphonate drug, available as Fosamax, used to treat and prevent osteoporosis.

amenorrhea – the absence of menstrual periods. When a girl doesn’t menstruate before the age of 16, this is referred to as primary amenorrhea. When menstruation starts but then stops, usually for a period of six months or more, this is called secondary amenorrhea.

anorexia nervosa – an eating disorder caused by excessive fear of being overweight, which causes people to stop eating normally and become underweight. Often called anorexia.

asthma – a disorder of the airways, often caused by an allergy, causing difficulty in breathing, coughing and wheezing.

baseline – any level or measurement that serves as a standard, used for comparison. For example, the effects of a treatment can be measured against a baseline to determine the effects of the treatment.

biomechanical – how your body moves.

bisphosphonates – non-hormonal medications used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Examples include etidronate (Didronel, Didrocal), alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel) and zoledronic acid (Aclasta). Bisphosphonates can prevent bone loss, increase bone density and reduce the risk of fracture.

bok choy – a type of green leafy vegetable, rich in calcium; also known as Chinese cabbage.

bone densitometry – a method of measuring bone density and strength; a bone density test is used to diagnose osteoporosis.

bone metabolism – the continuous process of laying down healthy new bone to replace damaged bone.

bone mineral content – a measurement of bone mass, expressed in grams.

bone mineral density – a measurement of bone strength. Bone mineral density (BMD) is measured in grams per square centimetre (gm/cm2). The tests used to measure bone density are painless and expose patients to only a small amount of radiation. The results can be used to confirm whether a patient has osteoporosis and how his or her bone mass is changing over time. The denser the bone, the less prone it is to fracture.

bone remodelling – the bodily process of replacing old bone with new bone tissue.  

bone turnover – replacing old bone with healthy new bone.

calcitonin – a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland; available as a medication, in an injectable form and as a nasal spray; used to treat osteoporosis and relieve pain caused by spinal fractures.

calcitriol – the active form of vitamin D3, which helps the body absorb calcium. Calcitriol medication is available in capsule and liquid form.

calcium absorption – the process of absorbing calcium from a food so the bones and body can benefit from it. Some foods are better sources of calcium than others because the calcium they contain is more easily absorbed by the human body.

calcium carbonate – a type of calcium supplement.

cardiovascular – of or relating to the heart and network of blood vessels that pump and transport blood throughout the body.

chronic pain – ongoing or recurring pain.

collagen – a protein found in skin, tendons, bone and cartilage.

Colles’ fracture – a fracture across the end of the main forearm bone, known as the radius, just above the wrist. Usually the result of someone trying to break a fall with their hands.

cortical bone – the type of bone found mainly in the appendages (i.e. arms, legs).

corticosteroids – a class of steroid drugs often used for asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Examples include cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone.

Crohn's disease – a form of inflammatory bowel disease, characterized by inflammation and ulcers, which can develop anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus.

Cyclosporin – a drug given to transplant patients.

dermatomyositis – a disease that affects skin and muscle tissue.

dietary reference intakes (DRIs) – a new scale showing recommended nutritional intakes for healthy people living in Canada and the United States. These nutrition requirements replace the “Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs).”

dietitian – a health professional who specializes in nutrition and healthy eating.

diuretic – a medication or substance that increases urination.

double-blind study – neither the patient nor the doctor knows whether the patient is receiving the study drug or a placebo.

Drug Identification Number (DIN) – a number issued by the Canadian government (the Therapeutic Products Directorate) to each drug product. The DIN, which appears on all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, lets consumers know that the formulation, labelling and instructions for using the drug have been reviewed and approved.

dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) – the gold standard of tests for measuring bone density; uses low energy x-ray to measure the strength of bones.

dual photon absorptiometry – a test for measuring bone density, using a photon beam.

Duchenne's muscular dystrophy – one of nine kinds of muscular dystrophy. An inherited degenerative disorder, usually affecting boys, that causes muscle weakness.

elemental calcium – the amount of calcium in a calcium supplement that is available for you to absorb. For example, 1250 mg calcium carbonate yields 500 mg elemental calcium.

endocrine – the system of glands that regulates a person’s mood, growth, sexual function, reproductive processes and metabolic activity. The endocrine system includes the pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries (in women) and testes (in men).

estrogen – a female hormone produced primarily by the ovaries; responsible for reproduction and the development of secondary female sex characteristics.

estrogen therapy – prescribed to some postmenopausal women, to relieve symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis and prevent bone loss.

etidronate – a bisphosphonate drug, available as Didronel or (with calcium) Didrocal, used to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

fat mass – the amount of fat, measured in grams, in the body.

femoral neck – the part of the thigh bone that connects to the hip joint.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – a federal agency in the United States that is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for ensuring that food and cosmetics are safe for consumers, and that medicines and medical devices and products are safe and effective.

fortified milk – milk that has been enhanced with additional nutrients.

gastrointestinal – referring to the digestive tract (includes stomach and bowels).

genetic disorder – an illness or condition caused by damage to the genes (or DNA).

genetics – the study of heredity, by which traits are passed from parents to offspring.
 
heel ultrasound – a technique that uses ultrasound to measure the quality and density of bone in the heel.

Heparin – a medication that thins the blood to prevent blood clots.

hormone therapy – hormone treatment prescribed by a doctor that includes estrogen alone or estrogen and progestin/progesterone. Estrogen is usually given in combination with progesterone because estrogen alone increases the risk for endometrial cancer. Hormone therapy (HT) is generally used to relieve moderate to severe menopausal symptoms (such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness) and is sometimes used to prevent bone loss and fracture. Available in the form of pills, injections, vaginal creams and vaginal rings. Also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

hyperparathyroidism – excessive activity of the parathyroid glands (located near the thyroid gland in the neck), which results in the excessive production of parathyroid hormone (PTH) .

hyperthyroidism – excessive activity of the thyroid gland (found in the neck), which results in the excessive production of T3 and T4 hormones.

hypogonadism – decreased activity of the sex organs – in men, the testes; and in women, the ovaries.

idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis – a rare condition where children have osteoporosis for no known reason.

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – inflammation in the small and/or large intestine. The two inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.

international units (IUs) – a standard unit of measure, used in the field of pharmacology, to measure substances such as vitamins, hormones and some medications.

intravenous – the delivery of substances (usually medications or fluids) via injection into the veins.

kyphosis – the curving forward of the upper spine – also known as dowager’s hump.

L1 to L4 – first to fourth lumbar vertebrae in the lower back.

lordosis – a curve in the lower spine.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – a medical imaging technique that uses magnetic forces to obtain detailed images of the body. MRI is non-invasive and does not use radiation.

menopause – a process that all women go through when they stop having their periods. Menopause usually occurs naturally, but can also result from medical procedures, such as the surgical removal of the ovaries. When a woman reaches menopause, usually between the ages of 40 and 60 (the average age is 51), she no longer ovulates and her ovaries produce significantly less estrogen.

muscular dystrophy – a muscle-destroying disease, characterized by degeneration of individual muscle fibres and cells.

non-invasive – does not involve penetration of the body (eg. no needles or tubes are used).

occupational therapist – a health professional who helps people diagnosed with, or recovering from, an illness to regain the ability to perform the activities of daily life.

oral contraceptive – hormones taken by women to prevent pregnancy. Also called the birth control pill or simply “the Pill.”

osteoblast – a type of cell involved in bone remodelling that helps to build bone.

osteoclast resorption – osteoclasts are the cells that chew up bone; resorption is the term used to describe this process.

osteogenesis imperfecta – a genetic disorder that causes brittle bones that break very easily.

osteopenia – mild bone loss. According to the widely used definition of the World Health Organization, osteopenia is a bone mineral density of 1.0 to 2.5 standard deviations below the average of young adult women.

osteoporosis – a condition in which bones become brittle due to a loss of bone mass (or bone density) and a change in bone structure.

parathyroid hormone (PTH) – a protein hormone secreted by the parathyroid gland which regulates calcium and phosphorous levels in the body. Synthetic PTH is used to treat severe osteoporosis.

peripheral – of or relating to the end parts of something – as in the forearm and wrist or ankle and foot of the body.

peripheral quantitative computed tomography – measures bone density in the appendages.

phenytoin – prescription drug used for epilepsy. Belongs to a class of drugs known as anticonvulsants.

phosphorus – a mineral active in bone and tissue growth; found in many foods, including dairy products, meat and meat alternatives.

physiological – of or relating to normal bodily functioning of living organisms and systems.

physiotherapist – a health professional who treats disease and injury using physical methods, such as exercise and massage.

phytoestrogens – estrogen-like substances derived from plants.

placebo – an inactive substance used as a control in studies to determine the effectiveness of medications.

post-menopausal – in the time after menopause. Describes a woman whose periods have ended, who has stopped ovulating, and whose hormone levels have decreased.

post-menopausal osteoporosis – bone loss due largely to reduced levels of estrogen at menopause.

predisposition – a tendency towards something.

prednisone – a corticosteroid drug.

primary osteoporosis – osteoporosis that is not caused by medication or another disease.

quantitative ultrasound – a method of assessing bone strength that uses high-frequency sound waves.

radiograph – an x-ray picture of a part of the body.

raloxifene – a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) drug, available as Evista®, used to prevent osteoporosis.

receptor – structure on the outside of cells to which substances circulating in the blood, such as hormones, can attach.

resistance training – exercises that cause the muscles to work against resistance (eg. from lifting weights or lifting one’s own body weight). These exercises help build stronger and denser bones.

resorption – chewing up of old bone by the osteoclasts.

risedronate – a bisphosphonate drug, available as Actonel, used to treat osteoporosis.

secondary osteoporosis – osteoporosis that is caused by a medication or by another medical condition.

selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) – a class of medications that have estrogen-like effects. The SERM raloxifene is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

severe osteoporosis – a T-score below -2.5 with the presence of fractures.

standard deviation – a unit of measure above or below the average of a comparison group.

subcutaneous – delivery of a substance (usually medication) via injection, just beneath the skin.

supplements – often refers to the addition of vitamins and minerals, in a pill form, to a person's diet.

T-score – a measuring system used to compare the bone density of an individual to that a group of young adults of the same sex. A T-score indicates the number of units (standard deviations) a person’s bone density is above or below the standard. The higher the T-score, the denser the bone. According to the World Health Organization, a T-score higher than -1 is considered normal; a T-score between -1 and -2.5 indicates osteopenia; and a T-score below -2.5 indicates osteoporosis.

testosterone – the male sex hormone produced primarily by the testes.

thyroid gland – an organ that is located at the front of the neck and is part of the endocrine system; secretes hormones that regulate body growth and metabolism.

tofu – food product made from soybeans.

trabecular bone – a type of bone found in high percentages in the spine, hip and wrist; has a honeycomb-like structure.

two-fold – double or 200 percent.

ultrasound – a method of imaging internal structures of the body using high-frequency sound waves.

Ward's triangle – an area in the top part of the femur or thigh bone, near the hip.

weight-bearing exercise – exercise in which a person supports his or her own body weight (eg. walking, running, dancing). Weight-bearing exercises help build strong bones and prevent bone loss.

Z-score – a measuring system used to compare the bone density of an individual to the average bone density of a group of the same age, weight, sex and race. A Z-score below -2.0 indicates that the individual’s bone mass is lower than expected for someone of that age.