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Osteoporosis and Bone Density
Osteoporosis
If you're a woman, you probably know that as you age, you have a greater chance than a man of developing osteoporosis, a progressive loss of bone mass that causes your bones to be more susceptible to fracture. Pregnancy, menstruation, and hormones all play a role in putting women at greater risk.
There are some risk factors you cannot control: for example, the health of your bones at birth was largely determined by your mother's diet before and during pregnancy. But there are things you can do to keep your bones - or the bones of someone you care for - as healthy as possible. During adolescence and young adulthood, eat calcium-rich foods to build peak (maximum) bone mass. Take iron supplements: menstruation literally takes iron out of you, so a woman needs more iron than a man. Also, do your unborn child a favor - even if you don't plan to be pregnant for years - by eating a healthy diet today.
Click here for more information on osteoporosis.
Bone Densitometry
Bone mineral density (BMD) is a test that measures the amount of calcium in a specific region of the bones. From this information, an estimate of the strength of your bones can be made.
Minerals (such as calcium) are constantly being added to and taken away from bone. When minerals are taken away faster than they are added, the bones become lighter, less dense, and more porous. This makes the bones weaker and increases their risk of fracture.
Bones naturally become thinner (called osteopenia) as you grow older, because existing bone is broken down faster than new bone is made. As this occurs, the bones lose minerals (such as calcium), heaviness (mass), and structure, making them weaker. With further bone loss, osteopenia develops into osteoporosis. The thicker your bones are, the longer it takes to develop osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis can occur in men, it is most common in women who have gone through menopause.
Click here for more information on bone mineral density.
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