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One in four women in the United States over the age of 60 - an estimated 25 million Americans - have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a systemic disease that is often responsible for one million hip, vertebral, wrist and other fractures each year. It silently and painlessly causes bones to thin and fracture more easily. In this weakened condition, your bones may break just by lifting a bag of groceries or being hugged by a child. For women, the risk of developing this degenerative disease looms larger than the risk of developing endometrial and breast cancer combined.
Because osteoporosis causes pain, disability and in some cases death, it is important to look closely at steps you can take to prevent or treat the disease. Information about improved diagnostic equipment and successful treatment options may also be very beneficial to you.
If the scan determines you have osteoporosis, there are treatments available that can help.
Estrogen replacement therapy is one of the most efficient treatments for osteoporosis. Estrogen replacement is also beneficial for women in their 70s and 80s.
You can slow down future bone loss by exercising more and increasing your intake of calcium and vitamin D.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved two new drugs to treat osteoporosis. Alendronate (Fosamax) and calcitonin (Miacalcin) both increase bone strength and reduce fractures. Talk to your physician about whether either of these treatments would benefit you.
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