Osteoporosis affects millions, costs billions.
Osteoporosis—a potentially painful and crippling disease—affects 23 million American women, 75% of whom don’t even know that they have it. In fact, half of all women past menopause have or are at high risk of developing osteoporosis.
While some bone loss can be expected as part of the normal aging process, osteoporosis is a dangerous disease. It occurs when bone loss is so severe it causes bones to become porous, brittle and likely to break.
Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease,” because it doesn’t produce symptoms until a fracture occurs. The bones most likely to break are the hip, spine, and forearm. One in three postmenopausal women will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture. In fact, a woman’s risk of hip fracture alone—the most painful and debilitating of osteoporotic fractures—equals her combined risk of developing breast, uterine or ovarian cancer.
The personal consequences of untreated osteoporosis may be loss of independence, pain, deformity, disability…even death.
| Are you at increased risk of osteoporosis? |
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There are steps you can take to prevent the development of osteoporosis. Even if you already have the disease, these measures can help slow its progression.
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Make calcium-rich foods a regular part of your diet.
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If you don’t eat the recommended amount of calcium, consider taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. |
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Exercise regularly. Walking, jogging and other weight-bearing activities are especially beneficial. |
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Don’t smoke. |
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Reduce your intake of soft drinks and coffee. |
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Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation. |
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If you are past menopause, talk to us about hormone (estrogen) replacement therapy. |
First Care has a state-of-the-art medical device that can detect and treat bone loss in its earliest stages. It's called a bone densitometer and it can help prevent the disease or lessen its impact. Also, several drug therapies now on the market have been shown to be effective in slowing down or reversing the bone-loss process.
Just as no physician would prescribe a medication for high blood pressure without first taking the patient’s blood pressure, the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis should begin with an objective measurement of your current bone status.
Bone densitometry, using an advanced technology called DXA (short for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), safely, accurately and painlessly measures bone mineral density. During a n examination, you lay comfortably still on a padded table while the bone densitometer scans two or more areas, usually the fracture-prone hip and spine.
Unlike typical x-ray machines, radiation exposure during bone densitometry is extremely low—less than the radiation exposure during a coast-to-coast airline flight. The entire process takes only minutes to complete, depending on the number of areas scanned. It involves no injections or invasive procedures, and you remain fully clothed.
Here's how it works ...
THE EQUIPMENT
A bone densitometer is a fast, convenient and precise way to measure bone density to help determine a woman’s risk of developing osteoporosis and future fractures.
BONE DENSITY SCAN AND ANALYSIS
The most common examination areas are the fracture-prone hip and spine. Bone Mineral Density (BMD) is calculated and compared to normal BMD values, matched for age and sex. A low BMD may predict the likelihood of osteoporosis and fracture and can help determine a treatment plan.
THE REPORT
The bone densitometer produces test results instantly. Along with information you provide about your family and medical history, lifestyle and diet, the data derived from the scan will be used to help determine whether you are at high, increased or low risk of fracture. Based on this information, we can decide whether you would benefit from additional therapy.
Preparing for A Bone Densitometry Scan...
 Unless instructed otherwise, eat normally on the day of the exam; but avoid taking calcium supplements for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Sweat suits and other casual attire without zippers, buttons, grommets or any metal are preferred.
You should not have had a barium study, radioisotope injection, oral or intravenous material from a CT scan or MRI within seven days prior to your test. |
If you have questions about bone health or would like to schedule a scan, please call our offices anytime at (803) 736-2530 or click on APPOINTMENTS above to schedule a scan online.
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