Osteoporosis

Get screening for osteoporosis done today

The health risks of an average human being increases with age. While some issues can cause discomfort, some can affect the quality of your life. Osteoporosis is one such health issue affecting people in their 50s and beyond. One in five men and one in three women is at the risk of osteoporosis after 50 years of age.

What is osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the loss of bone density. The bone tissues, like all the tissues in the body degenerate and are replaced at regular intervals. When the body loses its ability to replace the degenerating bone tissues with new ones fast enough, the bones lose density and become porous. This condition is called osteoporosis.

How does osteoporosis affect the quality of a person’s life?

Due to the loss of bone density, osteoporosis patients suffer fractures in their spine, hip and wrists. Osteoporosis can also cause severe back pain, deformation, limitations in mobility and motor activities.

Diagnosis

It is very important to diagnose osteoporosis at the right time, because osteoporosis can be silent for years, until the first fracture occurs. So, it is recommended to have a bone density test done today, if you are 65 or older. Osteoporosis can be diagnosed by means of a DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan of your spine or hip that reveals whether you have osteoporosis or its precursor,

Treatment

Fortunately, treatment for osteoporosis is available and steps can be taken to avoid fractures caused by osteoporosis. To know more about Osteoporosis, the tests available and treatment, consult your endocrinologist today.