Today, doctors are better able to detect and treat bone loss in its earliest stages. This 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 DEXA (short for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) safely, accurately and painlessly measures bone mineral density. During a comprehensive examination with DEXA, the patient lays comfortably still on a padded table while the DEXA unit 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 sites scanned. It involves no injections or invasive procedures, and patients remain fully clothed.

• Simple, proven x-ray method
• Safe, low radiation
• Helps determine whether you are at high, increased or low risk of fracturing a bone
• Fast and comfortable… only takes minutes
• Easy… patient remains clothed
• Painless… non-invasive, no injections

DEXA is a fast, convenient and precise way to measure bone density to help determine a woman's risk of developing osteoporosis and future fractures.

Most common examination sites 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 by DEXA may predict the likelihood of osteoporosis and fracture and can help determine a treatment plan.

The DEXA system produces test results instantly. Along with information you provide about your family and medical history, lifestyle and diet, the data derived from the DEXA test will be used by your physician to help determine whether you are at high, increased or low risk of fracture. Based on this information, he/she can decide whether you would benefit from additional therapy.

Osteoporosis (a potentially painful and crippling disease) and related bone disorders affect 30 million American women, 75% of whom don’t even know that they have it. 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 that it causes bones to become porous, brittle and likely to break. Half of all women past menopause have or are at high risk of developing osteoporosis.

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.

In short, the prevalence of osteoporosis has reached epidemic proportions, with related costs to our healthcare system exceeding $14 billion annually. The personal consequences of untreated osteoporosis may be loss of independence, pain, deformity, disability… even death.

Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are female and answer “yes” to any of the following questions:

Are you…?

• Light skinned
• Thin or small framed
• Approaching or past menopause
• Milk intolerant or have a low calcium intake
• A cigarette smoker or drink alcohol in excess
• Taking thyroid medication or steroid-based drugs for asthma, arthritis or cancer

Do you have…?

• A family history of osteoporosis
• Chronic intestinal difficulties
• A sedentary lifestyle

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent the development of osteoporosis. Even if you already have the disease, these measures, along with therapies your doctor may prescribe, can help slow its progression:

• Make calcium-rich foods a regular part of your diet.
• If you don’t eat the recommended amount of calcium, consider calcium and vitamin D supplements.
• Exercise regularly. Walking, jogging and other weight-bearing activities are especially beneficial.
Don’t smoke.
• Reduce your intake of soft drinks and coffee.
• Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation.

For further information about osteoporosis, treatment options and bone testing, ask your physician or contact the National Osteoporosis Foundation at (209) 223-2226.