Osteoporosis - Bone Densitometry

Health Resources:

Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for Women Osteoporosis is a disease that slowly weakens bones until they break easily. More than 10 million Americans are affected by osteoporosis, with women four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.

Do you know your T-score?

More than 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, a disease characterized by weak, porous bones. Because osteoporosis is a “silent” disease, you may not experience symptoms of bone fragility until a fracture occurs.

College Station Medical Center can help diagnose osteoporosis with a painless bone density test that measures bone mass at the hip, spine and wrist. Ask your physician about scheduling your bone density scan.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease in which there is a loss of bone mass and destruction of bone tissue. This process causes weakening of the bones and makes them more likely to break. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists.

Who is affected by osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis affects over 10 million Americans over the age of 50, with women four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Another 34 million  Americans over the age of 50 have low bone mass (osteopenia) and therefore have an increased risk for osteoporosis. Estrogen deficiency is one of the main causes of bone loss in women during and after menopause. Women may lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause.

Other risk factors for osteoporosis

Although the exact medical cause for osteoporosis is unknown, a number of factors contribute to osteoporosis, including the following:

• Aging. Bones become less dense and weaker with age.
• Race. Caucasian and Asian women are most at risk, although all races may develop the disease.
• Body weight. Obesity is associated with a higher bone mass, therefore people who weigh less and have less muscle are more at risk for developing osteoporosis.
• Lifestyle factors. The following lifestyle factors may increase a person's risk of osteoporosis:
  • Physical inactivity
  • Caffeine
  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Smoking
  • Dietary calcium and vitamin D deficiency
• Certain medications.
• Family history of bone disease.