Are You at Risk for Osteoporosis?

Twenty-five million Americans are affected by osteoporosis, a disease characterized by a loss of bone density.

Osteoporosis is known as a "silent disease" because it often begins without pain or other symptoms. However, if not prevented or left untreated, it can cause bones to become fragile to the point of breaking. Hip and spine fractures are among the more common and serious. Hip fractures often require surgery and can impair a person's ability to walk. Spine fractures can lead to severe pain, deformity, and loss of height.

Risk Factors

There are numerous factors that can increase your risk for osteoporosis. They include:

Being female
Having a family history of osteoporosis
A fair or light complexion
Having a small frame
Being Caucasian or Asian
Low body weight
Low dietary calcium intake
High alcohol or caffeine consumption
High intake of vitamins A
High protein intake
Chronic dieting

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Lifestyle factors

Smoking and a lack of exercise are risk factors

Medical factors

Use of certain medications can contribute to osteoporosis

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How is the Screening Test Done?

Bone density screening is the only way to confirm osteoporosis. At Huntington Hospital, the test is fast, safe, and painless. Similar to a standard X-ray, the bone density test measures bone density of the hip and spine, as recommended by the National Osteoporosis Foundation. The examination is performed by a specially trained, licensed radiologic technologist. The results are available to your physician the same day.

During the bone density examination, your physician may also request a Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA). This additional scan takes only seconds to perform and can detect compression fractures of the spine, and often under diagnosed complication that may predict further osteoporotic fractures. You must have a separate prescription to undergo a VFA during your bone density examination.

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What Treatments are Available?

Since many of the risk factors for osteoporosis are lifestyle-related, there are often steps that can be taken to slow the pace of bone loss. Although bone that is already lost cannot be replaced, there are medications available to help slow the progression of the condition.

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Facts About Osteoporosis

	Osteoporosis primarily affects women, but men are also at risk.
	50 percent of women over age 50 have an osteoporosis-related bone fracture. The disease has also been known to occur in women as young as mid-thirties.
	By age 75, a third of all men are affected by osteoporosis.
	1.3 million fractures each year are attributable to osteoporosis.

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For More Information ...

...or to schedule an appointment for this vital diagnostic test, call Huntington Hospital's Women's Health Center at (631) 351-2564.