Osteoporosis: Are you at risk? Osteoporosis is the most common human metabolic disorder. It is characterized by decreased bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This leads to brittle, fragile bones and an increased risk for fracture. Using the latest FDA-approved technology, Thibodaux Regional can help you assess your risk with our bone-density screening equipment. The hospital also employs board-certified radiologists who are specially qualified to accurately interpret bone-density exams. Throughout life, old bone tissue is constantly being removed and new tissue being built to replace it. At about age 35, bone begins to be built less efficiently and is not replaced as quickly. As a result, the amount of bone in the skeleton begins to slowly decline. In general, women have less bone mass to draw from than men. Thus, the problem of osteoporosis is greater for women than men. Osteoporosis is a risk factor for fracture just as high blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke. Your fracture risk can be easily, quickly and painlessly assessed through noninvasive measurements of bone mineral density (BMD). Combined with other risk factor data, physicians can use your BMD test results to determine whether you need treatment to prevent future fractures. According to a National Institutes of Health study, osteoporosis will reach epidemic proportions during the next decade. Today, it is estimated to affect 25 million women. Already, the disease causes more than 1.5 million fractures annually at a cost of more than $13 billion per year. These numbers will only climb as the population ages. Additionally, many of these injuries are life threatening or severely limit the quality of life for patients. Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. One-third of American women 65 and older will have a vertebral fracture. More than 300,000 American men and women experience osteoporosis-related hip fractures each year. Between 12 percent and 20 percent of hip fracture victims die as a result of the injury or complications from corrective surgery. More than 50 percent of those with hip fractures need specialized assistance with the tasks of daily living, and 15 percent to 25 percent need long-term institutional care as a result of these injuries. The implications for an aging society are clear. Therefore, new efforts on behalf of the medical community are aimed at identifying the disease as early as possible and encouraging education and prevention. Thibodaux Regional Medical Center is committed to playing a leading role in minimizing the effects of osteoporosis through public awareness and education and by making quality bone-mineral-density testing conveniently accessible. If you would like more information about bone-mineral-density testing or osteoporosis, please contact your personal physician or call Thibodaux Regional at (504) 493-4326. Assess Your Risk Quiz Osteoporosis affects one out of every two American women past menopause. Certain characteristics, lifestyles and behaviors make some women more prone than others to developing this potentially crippling disease. To help assess your risk of developing osteoporosis, take a few moments to complete the following survey. The more you check "yes," the greater your risk.* Are you ...? Female Approaching or past menopause Asian or Caucasian Thin or small framed Not as tall as you once were Milk intolerant or have low calcium intake Physically sedentary or inactive A cigarette smoker or drink alcohol excessively Taking thyroid medication Taking steroid-based drugs for asthma, arthritis or cancer Do you have ... ? A family history of osteoporosis or female relatives with bone fractures Chronic back pain Chronic indigestion/heartburn Rounded shoulders or "widow's hump" Trouble walking or getting up from a chair A recent bone fracture *Answering "yes" to any one or a number of these factors does not necessarily indicate that you have or will get osteoporosis. Conversely, even if none of these characteristics apply to you, you still may be at risk. Only a physician can diagnose osteoporosis or determine your risk of getting it. return to health articles