For women, the hormone estrogen is important for bone growth, protection and strength. As you get older, your bones lose some of their density, which can lead to osteoporosis and put you at greater risk for fractures. Women experiencing decreased estrogen in perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause have an increased risk for bone health issues.
Understanding the strength of your bones is important as you age. In some cases, treatments are recommended that can help improve or preserve bone strength.
Osteoporosis Screening
When we don’t care for our bones, we put ourselves at risk of developing osteoporosis. To live your healthiest life, it's important to have awareness of bone health risks and a willingness to correct what you can control.
Risk Factors
The following can put you at greater risk for osteoporosis:
- Age
- Chronic conditions
- Decreased estrogen production for women during menopause stages
- Gender
- Family history
- Health history
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking or alcohol use
Chronic conditions — such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, gastric reflux and Crohn’s disease, as well as the medications and methods used to treat them — can increase your risk for osteoporosis.
Symptoms
Osteoporosis often has no symptoms until a bone breaks or fractures. The bones most likely to break are commonly located in the hip, wrist or spine. Since it can be hidden, it’s important to get a bone health screening as recommended by your doctor, especially as you get older or have risk factors. Other symptoms of osteoporosis include:
- A stooped or hunched posture
- Loss of height over time
- Back pain
- Bone breaks or fractures
DXA Scan
A DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan is an imaging test that measures bone density. It can help you and your doctor better understand the strength of your bones as you age.
- DXA is a special type of X-ray that measures bone density to see if you’re at higher risk for breaking a bone.
- This scan is recommended for all women at age 65, and all men at age 70. Avera recommends an annual risk assessment beginning at age 50 for both men and women. (This may or may not include a DXA scan.)
- Your health insurance may cover the cost of a DXA scan as a preventive screening. Be sure to check with your health insurance provider.
- Results of the DXA scan come back with a number called a T-score, which compares your bones to those of young people. Doctors can determine if you have lower bone density and are at higher risk for fractures.
Prevention & Treatment
In some cases, treatments are recommended that can help preserve bone strength with the goal of preventing future fractures and breaks. To lower your risk for osteoporosis, it’s important to:
- Eat a proper diet with calcium and the vitamin D your body needs.
- Stay physically active with weight-bearing exercises.
- Avoid nicotine and excessive alcohol.
These steps, along with routine screenings as recommended by your doctor, give your bones their best chance to be healthy throughout life.
