Tests You Need Now
Both conditions put sufferers at risk for bone fractures, which can be especially dangerous for women as they age. Healing from a broken bone robs a woman of her independence and can interfere with health-sustaining daily activities such as preparing meals and getting regular exercise. Recent studies suggest that for women age 65 and older, breaking a hip increases the risk of dying within a year. Your risk of osteoporosis may
be increased if you: have a personal or family history of bone fractures; consume a diet low in calcium and high in sodium, caffeine, and non- dairy animal protein; do not exercise; have a low body weight; drink alcohol excessively; or smoke. Calcium combats the bone loss
that naturally increases with age. Postmenopausal women should aim to get 1,500 mg each day by eating calcium-rich foods—such as leafy green veggies, cheese, yogurt, and low-fat milk—or by taking a supplement. You can further strengthen bones by engaging in weight-bearing exercise such as walking, yoga, or tai chi. You should also take steps to avoid falls. Try wearing well-fitting, low-heeled shoes with non-skid soles, clearing walking paths of clutter in your home, and making sure your home is well-lit.
50
PERCENT OF WOMEN OVER WILL BREAK A BONE BECAUSE OF OSTEOPEROSIS
50
Bone Density Screening Tests
An estimated 20 percent of women over age 50 in the US have osteoporosis, a debilitating disease marked by porous, fragile bones. Another 37–50 percent of women over age 50 have osteopenia (low bone mass).
Bone Density Screening Tests A bone density test is the only way to detect osteoporosis before a break occurs. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women age 65 and older, or younger women who have had a fracture, be tested for bone density. Postmenopausal women with one or more risk factors for osteoporosis should also be screened. • Central dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)—the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends bone mineral density testing with a central DEXA scan of the hip and spine. Two X-ray beams (one high-intensity and one low-intensity) are pointed at the bone targets. The amount of X-ray that passes through each bone—which varies based on bone thickness—is used to measure bone density. The painless procedure takes about 10–20 minutes.
• Quantitative computed tomography (QCT)—uses a CT scan to assess bone density in the lower arm, finger, wrist, or heel. QCT is not as widely used because of higher radiation exposure and cost when compared to DEXA scanning.
• Quantitative ultrasound—a beam of ultrasound waves is directed at the area being measured. The absorption and scattering of the waves is used to assess bone density. This relatively new method is not as precise as DEXA scans, but the wide availability of ultrasound machines may make bone density testing more accessible to a larger population if the accuracy of the testing improves.
Did You Know? • Many women are unaware that their bones are brittle until they break one • 80 percent of osteoporosis sufferers are women • Certain medications and nutritional supplements can impair your balance and increase the risk of falls
• Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Ask your doctor if you’re getting enough
• Roughly 50 percent of women over 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis
VITAMIN D HELPS WITH CALCIUM ABSORBTION
Postmenopausal women need of calcium per day 1,500mg
FALL / WINTER 2011 pause 17
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