Osteoporosis
More than half of American men and women aged 50 and older suffer from osteoporosis or dangerously low bone mass, reports the National Osteoporosis Foundation. As the large baby boomer population reaches this age, the number of older people with thin and brittle bones is expected to increase sharply. Even more people will be at risk for the limiting and debilitating effects of broken bones. For an elderly person, a broken hip can be immobilizing or even life threatening.
There is strong consensus among the experts: older women benefit from screening for osteoporosis. Although prevention efforts should really begin in adolescence and young adulthood, after menopause, women need to be on the lookout for brittle bones and their susceptibility to fracture. Finding out if you have porous bone (osteoporosis) and treating the problem helps reduce your risk of a fracture.
More than 11 government and medical organizations agree:
Women over age 65 need to have their bone mass measured.
Even with this recommendation, only about 12 percent of women over age 65 actually have had a bone mineral density test, reports the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Screening after menopause is also appropriate for some younger women:
Younger women who have gone through menopause (which usually occurs between ages 45 to 55) and are at risk of a fracture due to porous bone also benefit from screening.
Your risk is especially a concern if you are thin or of slight build, inactive, have had a prior fracture not caused by severe trauma, or have a family history of spine or hip fracture. To protect against fractures and osteoporosis, your health care provider can advise you on exercise and balance training, how to get the calcium your bones need, and ways to avoid smoking and appropriately limit your alcohol consumption so you can slow the loss of bone mass.
Sources
Berg AO, for the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: recommendations and rationale. Am J Nursing. 2003 Jan;103(1):73-80. Available on the Internet from the National Guideline Clearinghouse at http://www.guidelines.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=3417&nbr=2643. Accessed July 19, 2004.
National Osteoporosis Foundation. NOF applauds USPSTF recommendation on BMD tests (press release). September 16, 2002. Available on the Internet at http://www.nof.org/news/pressreleases/uspstf_02.html. Accessed July 19, 2004.
National Osteoporosis Foundation. Physician’s guide to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. 2003 Apr. Available on the Internet from the National Guideline Clearinghouse at http://www.guidelines.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=3862&nbr=3073. Accessed July 19, 2004.
