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life and health
What raises your risk?
YOU
may not realize you have the bone disease
osteoporosis until something dramatic calls attention
to it—something like a broken bone, for instance, or
realizing you’re now looking eye to eye with a friend
who had always been shorter than you.
According to Benjamin Seckler, MD, Chief of Radiology at Sharon
Hospital, there are many risk factors for osteoporosis. Some
of them are beyond your control; others you can take steps to
change or prevent. Risks include:
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Gender. Eighty percent of the 10 million people with osteopo-
rosis in the United States are women, notes the National Osteo-
porosis Foundation. Thin women, in particular, are at increased
risk, as are Caucasian and Asian women.
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Age. Your risk increases as you grow older.
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Diet and health habits. A lack of calcium and vitamin D can
increase your risk. Drinking too much alcohol and smoking are
also bad for your bones, as is a sedentary lifestyle.
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Certain health problems, such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes or
rheumatoid arthritis.
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Somemedications, including thyroidmedicine and oral steroids.
O S T E O P O R O S I S
Are your
bones at risk?
A closer look
Tests to measure bone mineral density (BMD) can
give you and your healthcare provider information about
the condition of your bones.
The most accurate bone density test is the DXA
(dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), notes the American
College of Radiology. DXA measures bone density at the
hip and spine.
Similar tests measure sites such as the wrist or heel.
These tests can be useful but may not be as precise as the
DXA, according to the American Academy of Orthopae-
dic Surgeons (AAOS).
What’s the score?
The results of a BMD test are usually given as a T
score. A T score of zero is considered normal. Scores
below normal are given in negative numbers.
A score between -1 and -2.5 means you have low bone
mass and are at increased risk of developing fractures. If
your score is -2.5 or lower, you have osteoporosis.
In general, the further below zero your T score is, the
higher your risk of experiencing a fracture, according to
the AAOS.
Time to check
The vast majority of people who develop osteoporosis
are older women. Thus, the U.S. Preventive Services Task
Force recommends that all women 65 or older should be
routinely screened for osteoporosis.
If you have osteoporosis, several effective treatment
options are available that can help prevent further bone
loss or even help rebuild bone. Talk to your provider for
more information.
To schedule a screening for osteoporosis, call
Women’s Imaging at
860.364.4468
. To discuss
treatment options, call Advanced Therapy at
860.364.4065
.
BONE HEALTH