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Osteoporosis
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| Osteoporosis
is the most common human bone disease, characterized by a decreased bone
density leading to fragile bones and an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporosis
affects an enormous number of people, and its prevention has become a major
concern among women's health issues. It is estimated that between 13% and
18% of postmenopausal white women in the United States (4 to 6 million women)
have osteoporosis. One out of every two white women will experience an osteoporotic
fracture in her lifetime. In the past it was diagnosed only in advanced
stages, usually after a bone fracture or loss of height. Bone density testing
is the only method available for accurately determining the status of a
woman's bone health and predicting the risk of future fractures. |
| Risk Factors |
| The following
risk factors have been identified: |
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Personal history of fracture as an adult
- Caucasian Race
- Advanced age
- Female sex
- Dementia
- Poor health/frailty
- Current cigarette smoking
- Estrogen Deficiency (menopause)
- Low Calcium intake
- Alcoholism
- Recurrent falls
- Inadequate physical Activity
Safe, accurate, noninvasive tests are available to measure bone mass.
It is the only way to assess the risk of fracture.
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At The Healthy Woman we are
happy to announce that we are now a Professional Partner with the National
Osteoporosis Foundation (www.nof.org).
We are the only women's healthcare organization in the South Bay that has
that designation and also uses a bone densitomiter. We have been performing
DEXA bone density testing for more than three years, using a LUNAR DPX-IQ
bone densitomiter. This is not only the state of the art machine, it also
the "gold standard" for screening and diagnosing osteoporosis (http://www.osteo.org/osteo.html).
Our software will combine any risk factors you may have with the bone density
results, and make recommendations to help improve your bone density. This
will give you precise information to predict your future fracture risk.
The test is simple. noninvasive, and performed while you remain fully dressed.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) (www.nof.org) recommends baseline
testing for women in early menopause. The Balanced Budget Act authorizes
Medicare to cover bone density testing using DEXA machines. The goals are:
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To detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs.
To predict chances of future fracture
To determine rate of bone loss and/or monitor effects of treatment
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| Our center is dedicated to maximizing
the life expectancy and energy of each woman. Women no longer have to fear
walking bent over or needing walkers. We are proud of our friendly and personalized
approach, and invite you to call or e-mail us, (osteoporosis@healthywoman.com)
, if you have any questions or would like to set up a test. We will be happy
to send you information about osteoporosis. The Healthy Woman’s OsteoImaging
2000 Center will be happy to help you with any insurance questions
or authorizations. Medicare patients that are not enrolled in HMO organizations
do not require any authorization, and can call directly to schedule a "DEXA".
We are in a position to offer cash discounts for those patients that
have HMO insurance or no insurance coverage. |
Hyperlinks:
1. National
Osteoporosis Foundation
2. ORBD~NRC (Osteoporosis
& Related Bone Diseases~National Resource Center
3. Osteoporosis
overview |
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