Bone Densitometry

8 million women in America have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, a term meaning “porous bones,” is associated with 1.5 million fractures annually including spine fractures in the hip, wrist and spine. It is a disease in which the amount of calcium in the bones slowly decreases to a point where the bones become brittle and prone to fracture.

In the past, osteoporosis could be detected only after you broke a bone. A bone density test makes it possible to know your risk of breaking bones before the fact, using low dose radiation to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. The bones that are most commonly tested are located in the spine, hip and forearm. Bone Densitometry is a test to determine if you have osteoporosis.

Who is at risk for osteoporosis?

• Post-menopausal women
• Thin women
• Small-boned women
• Women who have red or blond hair
• Women who have fair skin
• Women of northern European descent
• Women of Asian descent
• Women who have never given birth

Steps to prevent Osteoporosis

• Make sure your diet includes a minimum of 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day for pre-menopausal women and 1,500 milligrams a day for post-menopausal women.
• Cut back on your sodium intake.
• Limit your intake of caffeine.
• Be involved in regular activity such as walking, jogging, biking or low- or non-impact aerobics.
• Stop smoking: women who smoke have two or three times greater risk of spine and hip fractures.
• Limit your intake of alcohol. Heavy alcohol consumption may accelerate osteoporosis.
• Ask your doctor about estrogen or hormone therapy.