Living With Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent conditions facing women today. This disease of the bones is caused by an excessive loss of calcium, resulting in brittle bones that can easily fracture.
Osteoporosis Targets Women
Some men are at risk of developing osteoporosis, but the disease is most often found in women. Women over the age of forty are most likely to develop the disease, following the onset of menopause. Women naturally produce less estrogen during and after menopause, and because estrogen helps our bodies to retain calcium, it is instrumental in keeping bones strong. It's important for women to supplement their calcium intake in order to retain their bone density during, and after, menopause.
While males may also be affected by osteoporosis, the number of men afflicted with the condition is found at a much lower rate than women. The reason for this is that men tend to have more bone mass than women. Even so, the natural aging process can cause osteoporosis to develop in men, as well as women.
The most prominent risk factors for developing osteoporosis are being female, and roughly menopause age. Additionally, Caucasian females appear to be at a greater risk. Osteoporosis also tends to affect individuals with reduced muscular activity. Being underweight can be a contributing factor, so those with eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia often find themselves at greater risk of developing the disease. Finally, a family history of osteoporosis is a major risk factor. If you know that osteoporosis runs in your family, making changes to your lifestyle can help protect you from developing this condition.
Diagnosing Osteoporosis
Early diagnosis and preliminary treatment of osteoporosis can be difficult, because many people don't realize they have the condition until they suffer from some kind of injury. Patients often suffer with breaks or fractures before they receive a positive diagnosis.
Thanks to changes in modern women's health care, however, it is becoming easier to detect the disease in its early stages. With early diagnosis, doctors may even be able to prevent osteoporosis occurring. Doctors can take advantage of new advances in bone scanning to test a patient's bone density. Early detection and preliminary treatment can slow the progress of osteoporosis, or stop the disease before too much damage is done.
If you feel that you are at risk of developing osteoporosis, there are steps that you can take. The first and most important step is to discuss your symptoms and concerns with your doctor or healthcare professional. He or she will take a full medical history and ask you to undergo a complete physical exam. If you appear to be at risk for developing osteoporosis, your doctor should assess your thyroid levels, test for forms of arthritis and order a blood test analysis to check your calcium levels.
He or she may also take X-rays to view your bone density. This is done through a special machine called a bone densitometer, which actually allows the experts to see inside your bones. This is a painless yet accurate way for doctors to measure your bone density, and it can help your doctor to determine whether you may be at risk for developing osteoporosis.
In the United States, osteoporosis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. Increased education and public attention has, fortunately, led to a greater awareness of the condition. Now, more than ever before, women can fully understand the importance of preventing osteoporosis, and we have greater knowledge of the treatment options available.
Osteoporosis Targets Women
Some men are at risk of developing osteoporosis, but the disease is most often found in women. Women over the age of forty are most likely to develop the disease, following the onset of menopause. Women naturally produce less estrogen during and after menopause, and because estrogen helps our bodies to retain calcium, it is instrumental in keeping bones strong. It's important for women to supplement their calcium intake in order to retain their bone density during, and after, menopause.
While males may also be affected by osteoporosis, the number of men afflicted with the condition is found at a much lower rate than women. The reason for this is that men tend to have more bone mass than women. Even so, the natural aging process can cause osteoporosis to develop in men, as well as women.
The most prominent risk factors for developing osteoporosis are being female, and roughly menopause age. Additionally, Caucasian females appear to be at a greater risk. Osteoporosis also tends to affect individuals with reduced muscular activity. Being underweight can be a contributing factor, so those with eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia often find themselves at greater risk of developing the disease. Finally, a family history of osteoporosis is a major risk factor. If you know that osteoporosis runs in your family, making changes to your lifestyle can help protect you from developing this condition.
Diagnosing Osteoporosis
Early diagnosis and preliminary treatment of osteoporosis can be difficult, because many people don't realize they have the condition until they suffer from some kind of injury. Patients often suffer with breaks or fractures before they receive a positive diagnosis.
Thanks to changes in modern women's health care, however, it is becoming easier to detect the disease in its early stages. With early diagnosis, doctors may even be able to prevent osteoporosis occurring. Doctors can take advantage of new advances in bone scanning to test a patient's bone density. Early detection and preliminary treatment can slow the progress of osteoporosis, or stop the disease before too much damage is done.
If you feel that you are at risk of developing osteoporosis, there are steps that you can take. The first and most important step is to discuss your symptoms and concerns with your doctor or healthcare professional. He or she will take a full medical history and ask you to undergo a complete physical exam. If you appear to be at risk for developing osteoporosis, your doctor should assess your thyroid levels, test for forms of arthritis and order a blood test analysis to check your calcium levels.
He or she may also take X-rays to view your bone density. This is done through a special machine called a bone densitometer, which actually allows the experts to see inside your bones. This is a painless yet accurate way for doctors to measure your bone density, and it can help your doctor to determine whether you may be at risk for developing osteoporosis.
In the United States, osteoporosis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. Increased education and public attention has, fortunately, led to a greater awareness of the condition. Now, more than ever before, women can fully understand the importance of preventing osteoporosis, and we have greater knowledge of the treatment options available.
