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How do I know if I have osteoporosis?

Fort Sanders West Diagnostic Center - Bone Densitometry: "Fr...
Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease". There are rarely signs until a lot of bone has been lost. A medical test that measures the amount of bone is the best way to detect osteoporosis. A bone densitometer is one such test. The bone densitometer uses small amounts of x-ray to measure the amount of bone mineral. The amount of bone mineral relates directly to bone strength.
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FAQs
If you have had a broken bone recently from a minimal trauma, such as falling down or bending over to lift something up, you probably have osteoporosis. If you broke your ankle skydiving, you probably don't have osteoporosis. Not everybody who is at risk of breaking their bones actually does so it usually takes at least a little fall or injury to break the bone, and some people are more careful than others.
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GDX Bone Resorption Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
Osteoporosis is a "brittle bone" disease, occurring when excessive bone loss leads to gradual bone weakening. It is a silent disease which can go undetected for years-until the damage is severe enough to cause a fracture. A broken hip or wrist often is the first symptom of osteoporosis. Have you ever observed the gradual loss in height and stooped posture of an elderly relative or friend? That's a typical sign of osteoporosis.
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Phoenix Orthopedic Evaluation Arizona Treatment Consultation...
Osteoporosis affects over 25 million Americans each year and is responsible for 1.3 million fractures per year. Osteoporosis is the thinning of your bone. As you mature, your body builds bone faster than it breaks down. After age 25-35, this slowly reverses and the breakdown becomes faster than the building, especially in women after menopause. This causes the bones to become brittle and increases your risk for a fracture.
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Bone Health / Osteoporosis - Frequently Asked Questions
According to the NOF, it is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk; bone density 2.5 or more standard deviations below the young normal mean (T-score above -1).
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Osteoporosis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Often, you may not know until you fracture a bone. The first sign that you may have osteoporosis may be a change in your height.
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How do I know if I am at risk for getting osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis FAQ
There are two types of "risk factors" which increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. The first type of risk factor is called "internal" or uncontrollable, because these are factors that occur naturally, rather than through personal choice. These factors include: Thin or small-frame. Individuals with smaller bones have less bone mass to lose. In addition, less body weight generally results in less stress and stimulation of the skeleton. Early estrogen deficiency.
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Dr. Kimberly Larson-Ohlsen, MD | Frequently Asked Questions
A family medical history and bone mass measurements are part of a complete assessment. Often a bone fracture is the first sign of osteoporosis. Ask your doctor to help you better understand your own risk and become aware of prevention and treatment options. Routine x-rays can't detect osteoporosis until it's quite advanced, but other radiological methods can. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several kinds of devices to estimate bone density.
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Frequently asked questions about osteoporosis :: Osteoporosi...
Most people don't know when they have osteoporosis; like high blood pressure or high cholesterol it is a silent condition which usually first becomes apparent when a broken bone occurs. Your doctor can detect osteoporosis by a special test known as a bone density scan, which may be performed at a hospital or radiology clinic.
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Kansas City's Medical Imaging Osteoporosis FAQ - Hours, Pati...
If your doctor suspects you have osteoporosis, he or she may measure you to check for a loss of height. The vertebrae are often the first bones affected, causing a loss in height of half an inch or more Your doctor may also recommend that your bone density be measured.
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Who's at risk for osteoporosis?

GDX Bone Resorption Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
Many more women than men get osteoporosis. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, nearly 50% of healthy American women in their 30s and 40s may be at risk for increased bone loss. One third of American women aged 50 and older are likely to suffer from spinal fractures. In 2000, osteoporosis will cause 500,000 hip fractures each year.
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What causes osteoporosis?

GDX Bone Resorption Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
Many factors contribute to bone loss. Small or petite women and women with relatives who have osteoporosis are at greater risk for developing the disease. Medical factors include menstrual irregularities, early menopause, certain diseases, stress and some medications. Lifestyle factors include lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and crash dieting, or deficiencies in nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, trace minerals, B vitamins and vitamin D.
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How do you treat osteoporosis?

GDX Bone Resorption Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on your risk level and amount of bone loss, there are several treatments you and your health care professional can discuss. The proper diet plays a major role. You should eat foods rich in calcium, magnesium and other minerals, and take a vitamin/mineral supplement if necessary. You should also restrict your consumption of carbonated soft drinks, caffeine, sugar and salt to reduce calcium excretion. Weight-bearing exercise also impacts bone loss.
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Progesterone FAQ
It is known that as much as 75% or more of women living in the United States eventually develop osteoporosis. Fortunately, progesterone can stop it and even reverse already existing bone loss.
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Oklahoma Breast Care Center
Osteoporosis is one of the most common and yet poorly understood diseases of middle and old age. The disease affects as many as 28 million a year in the United States, 80% of whom are women. It is the 12th leading cause of death in this country. In fact, more women are affected by osteoporosis than by stroke, heart attack and breast cancer combined. Read more...
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How can I prevent osteoporosis?

Low Back Pain Q&A
Osteoporosis is bone loss. The bones become brittle and break more easily. This is especially true of the vertebral bones. When they break, they can cause severe pain. Curing osteoporosis is not possible. Once the bone is lost, it is not easily rebuilt. Preventing osteoporosis is, fortunately, fairly easy. If others in your family have osteoporosis, you need to be especially careful since your chance of having problems is increased.
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Osteoporosis FAQ
Osteoporosis means "porous bones". It is a condition in which the bones become fragile and weakened, increasing the risk of fractures, especially in the wrist, hip and spine. Any bone can be affected, but the most serious concerns are fractures of the hip and spine.
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Can anyone get osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis FAQ
Yes, although certain people are more likely to develop osteoporosis than others. Risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis may be related to your body type, your family history, or your lifestyle behaviors, or some combination of these three factors. However, about 30% of individuals with osteoporosis have no identifiable risk factors.
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Is there anything else I can do if I have osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis FAQ
In addition to taking medication as prescribed by your health care professional, you should continue to follow the guidelines for prevention of osteoporosis, including getting adequate calcium, vitamin D and exercise and limiting alcohol, caffeine and smoking.
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Bone Health for Life
Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose their strength and density, and become fragile and fracture (break) more easily because of calcium loss. This disease particularly affects women in their middle and later years. It is quite different from osteoarthritis which affects joint surfaces.
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PROGESTERONE PLUS FAQ
It is known that as much as 75% or more of women living in the US eventually develop osteoporosis Fortunately, progesterone can stop it and even reverse already existing bone loss.
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How can osteoporosis be prevented?

Frequently asked questions about menopause
Bone decalcification can be prevented in many ways, but only partially, since it is impossible to stop the process of calcium loss completely. It is important to start early in life: Before the age of 30: supply your bones with as much calcium as possible. Eat food products rich in calcium and make sure you produce enough vitamin D by taking part in outdoor activities. After the age of 30: try to keep the calcium inside your bones.
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Osteoporosis, facts on causes and treatment
Osteoporosis is a gradual decrease in bone mass and density that can begin as early as the teen years. Bone mass should be at its peak in our late 20s or early 30s, but thanks to a poor diet and lack of exercise, many women are already losing bone in their 20s. Four out of ten white women in the U.S. will fracture a hip, spine, or forearm due to osteoporosis. As many as five out of ten will develop small fractures in their spine, causing great pain and a shrinking in height.
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