Bone Density
Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease which weakens bones and increases the likelihood of a fracture. It affects more than 28 million Americans, 80% of whom are female. Osteoporosis leads to 1.5 million fractures, yearly, in the United States.
18 million individuals in the United States have Low Bone Mass, which puts them at increased risk for developing this disease. Low Bone Density can be identified, and appropriate steps can be taken to slow this disease process and prevent fractures.
Monitoring existing osteoporosis therapy is good practice to periodically assess the effectiveness of your medication regimen.
Factors that increase your chance of developing this disease include:
- Gender:
Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis compared to men due to thinner, lighter bones and the decrease in estrogen production that occurs during menopause.
- Age:
The longer you live, the greater the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. The amount and rate of bone loss differs among individuals.
- Family History:
Heredity plays a large part in the rate at which you lose bone mass. If you or a parent has had a fracture you are more likely to have low bone mass .
- Ethnicity:
Caucasian (White) and Asian women are at highest risk; African-American
and Hispanic women are at lower but still significant risk.
- Body Size:
Low body weight (< 127 lbs) and small frame (place thumb and index finger around wrist, if they overlap you have small frame) increase your risk.
- Lifestyle:
Diets low in calcium, vitamin D, little or no exercise, cigarette smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, all increase your risk for developing osteoporosis.
At Main at Locust Pharmacy Clinic and Medical Supplies, we offer Bone Density Screenings to determine your risk of future fracture
- Performed with a simple heel scan
- Have your results in 5 minutes.
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