| Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bone loss and | | | | problems have already occurred that warrants earlier |
| subsequent fractures in weakened areas of the bone | | | | regular testing. |
| structure in those who suffer from this silent illness. | | | | How do I treat osteoporosis? |
| It accounts for many broken hips, wrists, and | | | | It's better to find out of you have bone thinning |
| fractured vertebrae in the elderly. Sometimes a | | | | before it causes breaks or fractures so that you can |
| person can sustain a fracture and be unaware of it | | | | begin a health regimen that combats further loss. |
| at the time. A simple movement or fall can cause | | | | Your healthcare provider can suggest various ways |
| broken bones in those who otherwise would not | | | | to deal with your situation. Usually a combined health |
| sustain them if osteoporosis were not present. It is a | | | | plan is suggested if you are in the early stages of |
| common disease that affects primarily Caucasian and | | | | the disease or if you are merely at a high risk for the |
| Asian women, although males and other people | | | | problem. Daily recommended intake of vitamin D and |
| groups are not exempt from developing it. | | | | calcium, weight bearing exercises, medication and |
| What causes it? | | | | monitoring through bone density testing are traditional |
| The onset of the illness begins when new bone | | | | suggestions that most health care professionals |
| growth cannot keep up with the current rate of | | | | recommend to patients who are experiencing the |
| bone loss. Thinning occurs which weakens the bone | | | | onset of osteoporosis. |
| and skeletal structure making it much more | | | | When should I get tested? |
| susceptible to breaks and fractures. | | | | Especially women who are postmenopausal and under |
| How do I know if I have it? | | | | 65 should undergo an initial screening. Also, if you |
| The only way to know for sure if you are | | | | have additional risk factors such as Caucasian or |
| experiencing gradual bone loss is by undergoing a | | | | Asian descent, heredity, and lifestyle concerns, you |
| bone density analysis. There are several ways to | | | | should definitely be screened. Those over 65 should |
| undergo this testing and some techniques are more in | | | | undergo an initial screening even there are seemingly |
| depth than others. X rays can show some | | | | no concerns. This will provide a baseline for further |
| progression of the disease although not as thorough | | | | tests as well as show any minor bone loss that may |
| as a bone density test. | | | | be occurring. |
| Bone density can be measure in the hand, heel or as | | | | In order to effectively combat osteoporosis, it is |
| a whole body scan. The whole body scan is very | | | | important to know the basic facts about the disease |
| thorough and can provide a base line evaluation for | | | | and how it can affect you. Be sure to talk with your |
| future comparisons. They are painless and are very | | | | doctor or health care professional about osteoporosis |
| effective in determining how much if any bone loss | | | | and what you can do to protect yourself from the |
| has occurred from year to year. These tests should | | | | disease. |
| be administered regularly after the age of 65 unless | | | | |