Bone Density & Osteoporosis
As a woman, you’re at far greater risk of developing osteoporosis and breaking bones as a result — especially if you’re nearing or past menopause.
Why? Once menopause occurs, your body produces less estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that help keep bones strong.
When they’re weak and brittle, they’re much easier to break, which can threaten your independence and mobility. The good news is that osteoporosis can be prevented, and there are painless, non-invasive tests that can help diagnose osteoporosis.
At AtlantiCare, we have a variety of ways to help keep your bones strong, and your life active and mobile—including bone density testing, physical therapy and fitness programs designed specifically to encourage bone regrowth.
How can I Prevent Osteoporosis?
it’s never too early to start building your strong bones to help prevent osteoporosis as you get older. Steps that you can take to slow bone loss include:
- Getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and protein in your diet
- Being active, specifically with weight-bearing physical activities like running or dancing
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Not smoking
- Getting outdoors to enjoy the sunshine
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Seeing your doctor regularly for preventive tests and treatments, if necessary
What are Common Symptoms of Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease, because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. However, as the disease progresses, you may experience:
- Back pain, which is usually caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
- Loss of height over time
- A hunched posture with sloping shoulders
- A hip, wrist, spine, or other one that fractures much more easily than expected
- Hip pain that intensifies with walking or weight-bearing activities
What are the Risk Factors of Osteoporosis?
While you can control some of the risk factors of osteoporosis, many are out of your control, including being:
- A woman
- Advanced in age, menopausal or postmenopausal
- Caucasian or Asian
- Thin or having a small body frame
- From a family with a history of osteoporosis
Some medical conditions, like the following, can further heighten your risk of bone loss:
- Alcoholism
- Amenorrhea, or not getting your period
- Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or another eating disorder
- Cancer
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Kidney or liver disease
- Lupus
- Multiple myeloma
- Overactive or underactive thyroid
- Celiac disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Some medications may also cause secondary osteoporosis. Check with your doctor to see if any of your medications increase your risk of bone loss.
How Do I Know If I Have Osteoporosis?
If you think you may be at risk for or currently experiencing bone loss, talk to your doctor. They’ll refer you for a bone density test, which can show the amount of bone in your hips, spine or other bones.
The test is performed using a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machine. It’s painless, non-invasive and lasts only a few moments. You will be asked to lie still and quiet on a padded table, but will be able to breathe normally.
One to two years after your initial bone density test, a follow up test may be done to determine if your bone density has stayed the same or if you are losing bone. If your bone density drops significantly, further evaluation will be needed.
Your doctor may suggest a bone density test for osteoporosis if:
- You are 65 or older
- You have risk factors
- Or if you take any medications that may cause secondary osteoporosis