Osteoporosis: A Debilitating Disease that Can Be Prevented and Treated

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to lose their mass and break easily.  It affects over 25 million Americans, and 80% of its victims are women.

The good news is that osteoporosis can be prevented. However, if it is not prevented or is left untreated, osteoporosis can continue to silently progress without pain until a bone breaks.  These breaks or fractures often occur in the wrist, spine, and hip.

When a hip is fractured, it usually requires hospitalization and major surgery. It can mean that a person is only able to walk with assistance, and may cause prolonged or disability or death. Vertebral or spinal fractures can be just as serious, and can come with intense back pain, deformity and height loss.

An alarming 55% of people 50 and older face the health threat of osteoporosis.  It is estimated that 34 million people in the United States suffer from low bone mass, something that increases their risk of developing osteoporosis.

An individual may not even realize that they have osteoporosis until their bones are so weakened that a sudden fall or strain causes a fracture or a collapsed vertebra. Signs of a collapsed vertebrae include of height loss, severe back pain or deformities of the spine such as stooped posture.

Factors increasing the likelihood that an individual will develop osteoporosis include current low bone mass, being female, advanced age, a family history of the disease, vitamin D deficiency, low testosterone in men, excessive alcohol intake, cigarette use and more.

A bone mass measurement or bone density tests can be done by a doctor in order to tell if you have osteoporosis.  If you would like a quick, complimentary screening, this can be performed at Allegheny Medical.  Your results can be delivered in as little as 5 minutes. Call (412) 494-4554 to schedule your appointment today.

Need more information? Check out The National Osteoporosis Foundation at http://www.nof.org.