One out of three women over the age of 50 will suffer a bone fracture from osteoporosis, according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation. Testing for osteoporosis is now part of a routine exam for women. Osteoporosis can be slowed or...
Osteopenia is a condition resulting from low bone density that is not severe enough to result in an osteoporosis diagnosis. Accordingly, osteopenia results in fewer complications like fractures and bone malformation, but it does indicate a high...
Osteoporosis and osteopenia are two related conditions characterized by significant loss of minerals in your bones. Individuals with osteoporosis have increased risks for spinal problems and bone fractures. Individuals with osteopenia have some...
Healing from a bone fracture is difficult. If osteoporosis is the cause, lifestyle changes can help prevent further recurrences of fractures. This is important news for the 10 million people who suffer from osteoporosis and 34 million who are at...
Because bone loss and osteoporosis can progress without any obvious symptoms, you must have a bone mineral density test to find out whether you have low bone density, or osteoporosis. Bone mineral density tests use X-rays to determine the amount...
Osteoporosis is a treatable condition that leads to bone weakening. There are several causes, such as a loss of estrogen in aging women or cancer. The Lance Armstrong Foundation points out that osteoporosis is sometimes called a silent disease...
More than 40 million Americans are at risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones have a low density, making them weak and increasing your risk for fractures. Treatment for osteoporosis involves following a well-balanced...
Bone density, also known as bone mineral density, is a measurement of the amount of calcium and other minerals in your bones. High amounts of these minerals, or high bone density, can lower your risks for bone fractures related to osteoporosis....
Your doctor may recommend a bone density test if you are at risk for developing osteoporosis---a disease in which bones deteriorate and become more porous. During the painless test, X-rays will assess your bone density by measuring the amounts of...
Aerobic exercise can make you feel healthier inside and out. It benefits cardiovascular health, body composition and well-being. Adding regular physical activity to a sedentary person's lifestyle can cause dramatic improvements, and just a few...
People who have low bone density are at risk of fractures and breaks, usually in the hip or spine. Damage to these bones can lead to surgery, hospital stays and lengthy recovery times, all with the associated medical bills. Prevention of low bone...
Your body needs several vitamins and minerals to build strong, healthy bones and for good health. If your diet does not include these nutrients in sufficient quantities, your body will absorb them from your bones, leading to low bone density. Weak...
If you've ever wanted to eat like a caveman, then the Paleolithic diet is for you. The Paleolithic diet -- also commonly referred to as a hunter-gatherer diet or the Paleo diet -- is an eating plan that only allows foods that were available to...
Osteopenia is a diagnosis, but it is also a symptom. Osteopenia is a warning that your bones are becoming fragile and weak. If left untreated, your osteopenia could lead to an osteoporosis diagnosis. This means your bones are becoming porous and...
Osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones, making them susceptible to fractures, can lead to a broken hip that can rob a patient of his or her independence. Treating osteoporosis involves getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet that...
Like all of the other tissues of your body, your bones are alive. Composed of several types of cells, proteins, blood vessels, nerves and a hard mineral matrix, your bones conduct the processes of living --- collectively termed metabolism. Bone...
Osteoporosis can exist for years without any symptoms. Knowing if you are at risk is often the first step in helping to diagnose this condition. If you have certain risk factors, then your physician can order the right tests to see if you have...
A bone age scan, commonly referred to as a bone mineral density test or DEXA scan, is a test that helps physicians predict the likelihood of a person developing a bone disorder in the future. This test is often confused with a bone scan, which is...
Some types of bone density tests use low level x-rays and others use sound waves to scan your body. This process produces a picture of your bones and takes about 15-20 minutes. Your wrists, spine and hips are common sites that are tested. ...
Strong bones are essential to continued independence throughout life. All adults start to lose bone mass around the age of 35 years, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. One result of reduced bone mass, osteoporosis, causes the...
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. The largest reservoir of calcium is found in bone, giving it strength and form. Calcium also plays roles in chemical reactions such as blood clotting, as well as signaling in nerves and muscle...
Osteoporosis is the result of the bones of the body weakening due to reduced bone density. Osteoporosis can lead to bones fracturing easily, resulting in pain and decreased mobility. A bone density test allows physicians to confirm suspected...
As you get older, your doctor may begin to recommend regular testing to check the mineral and density levels in your bones. This testing helps detect early signs of osteoporosis, leading to earlier treatment. Learning how to interpret your bone...
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by progressive deterioration of the calcium-rich matrix that gives bones strength. According to Paul Fitzgerald in "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment," osteoporosis leads to an increased risk of...
A dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan or DEXA scan, also called a bone mineral density, BMD scan, uses low-dose x-rays to test the amount of calcium and other types of minerals present in a section of the bone. A DEXA scan typically measures...
Bones slowly get weaker as people age after hitting a peak bone density some time in a person's 30s. As bone strength decreases, the risk of broken bones rises. For some, the loss of bone density is enough to warrant a diagnosis of osteoporosis or...
Osteoporosis affects 10 million Americans, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, and almost 34 million others may be at risk. A disease of weakened bones, osteoporosis leaves you susceptible to bone breaks and fractures. A diet rich...
Osteoporosis and osteopenia can happen to anyone at any age. Both can lead to serious illness and disability if left untreated. However, lifestyle changes and medications can help prevent, treat and in some cases reverse these diseases. The first...
Osteoporosis, or a weakening of the bones, is typically thought of as a women's disease. However, this loss of bone mass also leads to an increased fracture risk in men. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, one out of eight men...
