Warren Clinic Osteoporosis Center

Breast health and bone health are key issues for all women, which is why the Warren Clinic Osteoporosis Center is dedicated to preventing, identifying and treating osteoporosis. The key question is, “How strong are your bones?” Comprehensive bone density DXA scanning can accurately measure bone strength.

Women who should consider a DXA scan include:

• Women over age 65
• Women between 50 and 65 and
  • Are not on estrogen therapy
  • Smoke
  • Weigh less than 125 pounds
  • Have had any broken bones after age 40
  • Have mothers with hip or spine fractures
• Breast cancer survivors at any age
• Women on daily prednisone or cortisone therapy
• Women who have had an abnormal bone density screening

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects more than 25 million Americans. Of these, more than 20 million are women. Women are five times more likely to have osteoporosis than men because women have less bone as young adults and because estrogen lost with menopause increases bone loss.

Women who have gone through menopause and are not taking a hormone replacement have the greatest risk for osteoporosis. Other factors that can increase your risk for osteoporosis include:

• A family history of osteoporosis
• Low-calcium diet
• Small or thin body frame
• Lack of weight-bearing exercise
• Increasing age
• Caucasian or Asian descent
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol use
• Prolonged use of certain medications: i.e. thyroid medication, corticosteroids (a group of anti-inflammatory medications) and anti-seizure medications
• Early menopause
• Anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• A sedentary lifestyle

Reducing Your Risk

For all women, taking an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D daily will significantly help in the fight against osteoporosis. Calcium, which strengthens bones, and vitamin D, which helps the body absorb more calcium, can be added to your daily diet through a variety of foods and/or various supplements.

Other ways to help prevent osteoporosis include:

• Limit your coffee intake to less than two cups a day
• Refrain from tobacco use
• Participate in some type of weight-bearing exercise- While inactivity will accelerate bone loss, just a 30-minute slow walk, three times a week, can have a stabilizing effect on bones.

In this day and age, osteoporosis is no longer an accepted part of the aging process. Although it’s a condition that can have serious consequences, it can now be successfully diagnosed and treated. The Warren Clinic Osteoporosis Center is working to maximize bone health for all women. We have two convenient locations to serve you. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call.

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