Osteoporosis- Myths and Facts:
Fact:
- Men get Osteoporosis, too.
- Women naturally have smaller, thinner bones than men, so they are at higher risk.
- 20% of those affected by Osteoporosis are men. 1 in every 4 men & 1 in every 2 women over the age of 50 will experience an Osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
Myth: Osteoporosis is a disease of the elderly people. Only older people need to worry about it.
Fact:
- Osteoporosis is not a natural part of ageing. Prevention of osteoporosis should begin as early as possible.
- If you take preventive measures right now, before the disease causes bone to get weak, such measures ay help you avoid osteoporosis later in life. By getting enough Calcium & Vitamin D in your diet, and exercising on a regular basis, you can prevent Osteoporosis.
- Get your Bone Density Testing done and take proper medications for the prevention and treatment of Osteoporosis.
Myth: If I drink milk and take Calcium supplements, I won’t develop osteoporosis.
Fact:
- Getting enough Calcium is important but that alone is not enough to prevent Osteoporosis. An inactive lifestyle, lack of Vitamin D, excessive alcohol, tobacco intake and smoking may lead to Osteoporosis.
Myth: There are no particular risk factors for Osteoporosis other than age & being female.
Fact:
- Age is a major risk factor, especially for those over 65. But, those with the following characteristics also are at risk: Fair Skin; Small bone structure; Early menopause or post menopause; Family history of Osteoporosis; Low body weight; Low-calcium diet; Inactive lifestyle; Excessive alcohol intake; Tobacco use; Eating disorders; Use of certain medications such as steroids & anti-seizure medications.
- It is commonly stated that Asian & Caucasian women are at increased risk.
Myth: You cannot tell if you have Osteoporosis unless you fall & break a bone.
Fact:
- A “Bone Density Test” can give your health-care provider important information about the strength of your bones and your risk for fracturing a bone in the future.
- The “Bone Densitometer” uses small amounts of X-Ray to measure the amount of bone mineral and this relates directly to bone strength.
Myth: A Bone Density test is painful and complicated.
Fact:
- This is a simple & complicated exam.
- A bone densitometer looks like a large, padded exam table and measures bone density by using a small amount of radiation.
- You lie on your back, and the technologist positions your arms and legs. The test is painless and takes less than 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Osteoporosis
Will I have any warning that I am developing Osteoporosis?
No, not from the way you feel. The loss of bones is silent. A person can feel perfectly well today & have a spine or hip fracture tomorrow from Osteoporosis. Since, Osteoporosis is symptomless, and the first sign of the disease is often a fracture, it is essential that each individual assesses his/her personal risk for the disease by getting a bone Densitometry test done.
How do I know if I am at risk of developing Osteoporosis?
One test that can accurately measure the bone strength and predict ones risk of having a fracture is DEXA Bone Densitometry, and it is now available at our “Superb Osteoporosis Detection Centre” in Superb MRI & CT Scan Centre, SCO 24-25, Sector 8-C, Chandigarh.” Is the test safe?
Even though X-Rays are used, the amount absorbed by the patient is only about 1/10 of that received from a chest X-Ray. X-Ray dose from the bone densitometry test is comparable to the naturally occurring radiation one is exposed to one inter-continental flight.
How does the DEXA Bone Densitometer work?
The Bone Densitometer uses small amounts of X-Ray to produce images of the spine, hip, forearm or even the whole body. The X-Ray is composed of 2 energy levels which are absorbed differently by the bones in the body.
The technical term for the method is “Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry” or DEXA. A computer is able to determine from these differences how bone mineral is present. The spine, hip and forearm are measured, because that is where Osteoporotic fractures occur most.
What information will the test give to my Doctor?
A bone densitometry test is an aid to Doctor in the diagnosis of Osteoporosis . The test compares the bone mineral density (BMD) to that of a “young adult” at peak bone strength (T-Score). It also compares the results to people of the same age, called “age matched” (Z-Score). Your T-Score is one factor that the Doctor will definitely consider in making a diagnosis. This information, along with other factors, helps doctors gauge the risk of Osteoporotic fracture in the patient. A panel of experts at the World health Organization (WHO) has developed categories that define the amount of bone Loss.
WHO Definition of Osteoporosis (Female):
Normal: A T-Score that s above -1
Osteopenic: A T-Score between -1 and -2.5 (Low bone density)
Osteoporosis: A T-Score that is below -2.5
Is a repeat test necessary?
The bone densitometer can monitor the effect of age, diet or treatment on the bone status. Therefore the doctor may suggest follow-up test to monitor change over time.
How often do I need to get a Bone Densitometry test done?
If one is being treated for osteoporosis , Bone Densitometry test may be done yearly to monitor the progress of the treatment. From a preventive standpoint, Bone Densitometry testing is generally needed only 3-4 times during ones lifetime.
What is total body DEXA?
Total body DEXA assesses fat tissues and lean tissue for the total body and sub-regions, besides, BMD.
How the fat assessment test unique to DEXA help me?
The accurate measurement of total as well as regional bone and fatty tissue composition has relevance in a number of clinical conditions e.g. during a weight reduction treatment, you can know precisely the percentage of unwanted fat you have lost. Also one may know instead of losing fat, whether has inadvertently lost the lean tissue mass which in fact is very essential for the body.