Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become thin, fragile and susceptible to fracture, affects 25 million Americans, predominantly women (as many as 1 out of 2 women after menopause), robbing many of them of their independence and dignity.

You cannot feel the bone loss that occurs in the years after menopause. You bones may be weakening long before you or your doctor can tell by routine examination. Few women know that a quick and painless bone density test can detect bone loss associated with osteoporosis early, before it causes fractures.

Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance in the body’s bone-building cycle. Throughout life, our bodies are breaking down old bone and rebuilding new bone in a continuous cycle. We gain bone by building more than we lose. This process occurs until our mid 30’s, while bones are still developing. After that, the process is usually in balance, so the amount of bone lost is about equal to the amount that’s replaced. But this balance is disturbed during menopause, when hormonal changes cause us to lose bone faster than it can be replaced.

Many factors increase the risk of osteoporosis. Menopause is the most common trigger for osteoporosis, and this includes menopause due to surgery that removes the ovaries (where estrogen is produced).

Other factors include the use of certain medications: thyroid hormones, if the dose is too high; and certain steroids, if they are taken regularly over a period of time (steroids are commonly used to treat asthma and arthritis).

Osteoporosis may be difficult to detect, especially since people in the early stages often have no symptoms. That’s why, if you are at risk, your doctor may recommend that you have a "Bone Density Test."

At present, the most accurate and practical way to determine the extent of bone loss, important in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, is by Bone Mineral Density (BMD) testing.

The test measures bone density in your hip, spine or wrist. The information from a Bone Density Test enables your doctor to identify where you stand within ranges of normal, and to determine whether you are at risk for fracture. In general, the lower your bone density, the higher your risk for fracture. This information will help you and your doctors decide the best course of action to take for your bone health.

The Danville Orthopedic Clinic, Inc. has a state of the art Hologic Bone Densitometer. This test is performed at our clinic. A painless procedure, Bone Density Testing takes about 15 minutes. After your exam, the examiner will discuss with you some factors about osteoporosis and answer any questions you may have at that time.

After your exam is completed, the results will be given to your physician for review. Your physician will then meet with you to discuss the outcome of the Bone Density Test and go over a treatment plan that you both feel will benefit you.

Take the initiative to talk to your doctor about a Bone Density Test, the one sure way to measure bone loss.

It is important to be able to talk comfortably with your doctor about osteoporosis. As a start, before your next visit, call the doctor’s office (793-4711) and mention that you would like to talk about osteoporosis during your next office visit.

Bring a written list of concerns and questions

 

• Ask your doctor to clarify anything that you don’t understand

• Write down what the doctor tells you so that you will be able to recall it accurately

• Make sure you and your doctors are aware of any family history that you might not have realized was osteoporosis, such as an older relative’s stooped posture, loss of height or fracture

• Ask your doctor about specific steps you can take to avoid complications associated with osteoporosis

Other factors associated with increased risk of osteoporosis include:

 

• A family history of osteoporosis

• A previous broken bone that might have been the result of osteoporosis

• Caucasian or Asian decent

• Thin or small build

• Use of certain medications, such as steroids (commonly used to treat asthma and arthritis) and thyroid hormones (if the dose is too high)

• Smoking

• Not getting a great deal of exercise

• Not getting enough calcium in your diet

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