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Osteoporosis is a disease where bone tissue becomes weaker, porous and loses strength. Those with osteoporosis are more likely to suffer broken bones, especially in the hip, spine and wrist. The risk of osteoporosis can be reduced through early detection and positive health habits like exercise and a good diet that includes adequate calcium and vitamin D.
There is no cure for osteoporosis, but its effects can be treated through medication prescribed and supervised by your doctor.
Here are some common questions about osteoporosis, with answers provided by Galen physicians and staff.
Q. Can men develop osteoporosis, or is it just a women’s disease?
A. Most cases of osteoporosis--about 80%--occur among women. That means about 20% of all cases are men. After age 50, around 2 of every 4 women (50%) and 1 of every 4 men (25%) will suffer a broken bone due to osteoporosis.
Q. How do I know if I have osteoporosis?
A. One of the difficult things about osteoporosis is that bone loss usually occurs without symptoms. The stooped shoulders or bent back that are linked to advanced osteoporosis come after many, many years of bone loss. For many people, the first sign of the disease is a broken bone caused by a bump or fall.
The best way to detect bone loss early is a bone density scan, a routine test that can be done in any Galen office. The scan not only detects bone loss, it measures the degree of loss and helps your physician predict future bone loss as well.
Q. At what age should I be get a bone density scan?
A. Every woman should have a scan at age 50, and so should many men who have a family history of osteoporosis, or other risk factors. In reality, men and women with increased risk factors should be screened at an earlier age, but most insurance plans won’t pay for it.
Many think of osteoporosis as an old person’s disease, but it can occur at any age. Factors that increase risk include a family history of osteoporosis, slight bone structure, anorexia nervosa, a history of dieting or poor eating habits, broken bones, smoking, vitamin D deficiency, low levels of testosterone (in men), excessive alcohol and an inactive lifestyle.
Q. What can I do to reduce my risk?
A. About 98% of your bone mass is developed by the time you reach your early 20’s. The best way to promote healthy bones for a lifetime is to build strong bones as a child and teenager by eating right and exercising. Yet it is never too late to improve your bone health.
A good place to start is by talking with your doctor, who can talk to you about exercise, diet and eliminating other risk factors from your lifestyle. You can also talk about calcium and vitamin D supplements, or possibly medications, to improve your long-term bone health.
A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is a solid prevention tactic, as is regular load-bearing or weight-resisting exercise like walking, weightlifting and using resistance exercise equipment. If you smoke, stop. And avoid excessive use of alcohol. These things can make a difference to your bones as well as to your overall state of health.
Schedule A Bone Density Scan At A Galen Office
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