What You Need to Know About Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis affects 10 million Americans. There are typically no symptoms associated with osteoporosis until a fracture occurs. A diagnosis of osteoporosis is most commonly made after a fracture has occurred or after a patient has undergone a bone mineral density study, called a DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan.
“Certain fractures, such as those that occur when there has been a fall on level ground, are considered fragility fractures, and a clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis can be made,” explains Dr. Lisa M. Pomranky, sports medicine doctor at Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. “Otherwise, age or other risk factors may warrant a screening exam.”
Dr. Pomranky says regular screening DXA exams should be performed on women over 65 and men over 70.
Other risk factors for osteoporosis include rheumatoid arthritis, hyperactive thyroid, excessive alcohol intake, and smoking, among others.
To decrease your risk of osteoporosis, Dr. Pomranky suggests getting 1200-1500 mg of calcium per day through your diet. Additionally, supplement 1000 IU of Vitamin D daily, as this is can be hard to acquire through diet or from sun exposure alone. This supplement may need to be increased if you have vitamin D deficiency. A regular weight-bearing exercise program is also important.
If you are older than 50 and have had a recent fracture from a ground level fall, contact Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at (541) 285-8111 to see if your doctor feels that a DXA is needed.
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