Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Technology Available at Crossing Rivers Health
Prairie du Chien, WI – Osteoporosis is a growing healthcare crisis affecting millions of women and men worldwide. Only about 10% of women over the age of 65 have normal bone mass. According to a report on the Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis prepared by the World Health Organization, 77 percent of American women with osteoporosis are undiagnosed and therefore untreated. Osteoporosis is both preventable and treatable, and testing is safe and non-invasive. A bone density test with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the only way to diagnose osteoporosis before a broken bone occurs.
“The statistics surrounding osteoporosis are astounding,” explained Tim Clark, Director of Medical Imaging at Crossing Rivers Health. “One in two women and one in four men 50 years of age and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. A DEXA scan is painless, takes only a few minutes to complete, and the radiation dose is extremely low. Bone density testing provides advanced diagnostic tools to support early detection and treatment of osteoporosis. At Crossing Rivers Health, we are proud to offer the latest bone densitometry technology available.”
Individuals at risk for developing osteoporosis include those 50 years of age and older, postmenopausal women, those who have broken bones or experienced height loss, taking certain medications, or with diagnosed illnesses. Lifestyle factors such inactivity, smoking, or excessive alcohol intake can also play a role in osteoporosis development, along with insufficient calcium and vitamin D intake, not eating enough fruits and vegetables, or consuming too much protein, sodium, and caffeine. Having a low body weight or experiencing rapid weight loss are additional risk factors.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends bone density testing for the following:
- Women of menopausal age (average age 51) with risk factors
- Women age 65 or older
- Postmenopausal women under age 65 with risk factors
- Men age 70 or older
- Men age 50-69 with risk factors
- Individuals who break a bone after age 50
“Our bone densitometry technology is able to accurately determine bone mineral density, pinpoint fractures, identify aortic calcifications, and measure body composition,” added Clark. “If you have any of the risk factors, be proactive, and ask your primary care provider to schedule your bone density test at Crossing Rivers Health.
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