| It may seem like every time you visit your doctor he | | | | anything to prepare for it and it is completely painless. |
| recommends another test or screening. You may | | | | In fact, many pharmacies and health fairs offer bone |
| wonder why since you are not having any noticeable | | | | density screening along with other tests such as |
| problems. As a doctor who has treated hundreds of | | | | cholesterol. So there is really no reason not to have |
| bone injuries over the years, there is one test I | | | | your bone density checked. |
| highly urge you to consider and that is bone density. | | | | The results of your bone density test will be given to |
| There was a time when a broken bone was the only | | | | you in the form of a T-score. |
| clue doctor's had that a person's bones had become | | | | If your T-score is above -1 then your bones are |
| more fragile and at that point it was too late to do | | | | normal, healthy, and strong. |
| anything about it. Luckily medical science has | | | | If your score is between -1 and -2.5, your bones are |
| progressed over the years so today we can easily | | | | beginning to thin and you are at risk of osteoporosis. |
| screen for osteoporosis and low bone mass. | | | | If your score lower than -2.5 it is an indication that |
| Out of 44 million Americans affected by bone loss, | | | | you already have osteoporosis. |
| 10 million have osteoporosis, and the remaining 34 | | | | Take the Right Steps to Strengthen Your Bones |
| million have a lower than normal bone mass. Women | | | | The medical profession has come a long way when it |
| are particularly more likely to develop osteoporosis | | | | comes to prevention of many diseases and |
| than men. Other risk factors that play into bone loss | | | | osteoporosis is only one of them. Building strong |
| are age, family history, small body frame, inactive life | | | | bones early in life before the age of 30 is the best |
| style, alcohol, and use of certain medications. Given all | | | | defense against developing bone loss later in life. A |
| the variables, you can see why it is so important to | | | | healthy lifestyle is also of utmost importance. Learning |
| get a bone mineral density evaluation (BMD) as part | | | | to prevent osteoporosis is critical because once you |
| of your physical exam every two to three years. | | | | have it there is no cure. |
| The truth is that everyone is subject to bone loss in | | | | There are several key things you can do to prevent |
| their lifetime. In early adulthood a person's bone mass | | | | osteoporosis and give your bones the care they |
| is at its peak but it gradually declines with age. Within | | | | deserve.o Calcium is needed for your heart, muscles |
| the first six years after menopause, a woman can | | | | and nerves to function and for blood to clot. When |
| lose up to 20% of her total bone mass. Men are at | | | | calcium is lacking it contributes to the development of |
| risk too especially if they have certain illnesses, low | | | | osteoporosis so make sure you get your |
| testosterone, smoke, or are sedentary. | | | | recommended amounts either in foods or supplement |
| Along with aging and change of normal hormones, | | | | form. Adults under age 50 need 1,000 mg and those |
| osteoporosis is commonly the result of diets low in | | | | over 50 need 1,200 mg.o Vitamin D is necessary to |
| calcium and vitamin D. Without getting too technical, | | | | absorb calcium so without enough you cannot get |
| let me just say that your bones become thinner and | | | | the calcium you need from the foods you eat. When |
| weaker leaving you vulnerable to fractures and | | | | this happens your body takes the calcium from your |
| breaks. This is why we see so many elderly people | | | | bones. Vitamin D comes from direct exposure to |
| with hip fractures and other weight supported | | | | sunlight and from your diet. Adults under age 50 need |
| broken bones. | | | | 400-800 IU of vitamin D daily, and adults over age 50 |
| A Simple and Painless Test | | | | need 800 - 1,000 IU daily.o Exercise is a must in |
| When taking a bone density measurement, your | | | | maintaining bone strength. The best type is |
| doctor will use x-rays to measure the mineral density | | | | weight-bearing such as walking, dancing, jogging, |
| of a segment of bone. Bone density testing has | | | | stair-climbing, racquet sports and hiking.o Avoid |
| become one of the best ways of diagnosing | | | | smoking and excessive alcohol.o Schedule a bone |
| osteoporosis and is fairly accurate in determining your | | | | mineral density test (BMD) and take medication as |
| risk for fracture. The purpose of the test is to see if | | | | prescribed by your doctor if you are diagnosed with |
| enough calcium and other minerals are in a segment | | | | osteoporosis. |
| of bone to ensure that they are strong and healthy. | | | | Although Osteoporosis is not curable you can easily |
| Usually an x-ray is taken of the bones that are most | | | | find out if you are at risk by taking a simple test. |
| likely to become thin and break easily. The lumbar | | | | There are several medications available now that help |
| vertebrae of the lower spine, the upper section of | | | | combat bone loss and in some cases may even help |
| the femur, and the bones of the forearm and wrist | | | | prevent further deterioration. With proper care and |
| are the most common places to be x-rayed. | | | | maintenance your bones will be strong and healthy |
| The test is fast and easy. You don't have to do | | | | throughout your entire life. |