Around 10 million Americans are already suffering from osteoporosis and 34 million more might be added to the numbers. It has now become a major health problem where one may be at risk for incurring a fracture. An early detection of this disease is essential to prevent complications from happening.
Osteoporosis is a disease involving an abnormally low level of bone mineral density (BMD), There are a number of exams that can identify if you are at risk for osteoporosis, for fracture or both. Yet, there is a study suggesting many osteoporosis screening are not necessaryso causing expenses and overtreatment will be prevented.
Prior to any diagnostic exams done, your doctor may ask the following information to determine your risk of having the disease.
• Any fractures you have incurred
• Race, family history of osteoporosis
• Medications taken
• General intake of calcium and vitamin D
• Lifestyle, activities and exercise pattern
• Menstrual history for women
When osteoporosis is suspected, your doctor may ask you to take any of these tests.
X-rays. If a patient feels low back pain and/or experiences a reduction of height due to stooped posture. However, x-ray may not be enough as it can only detect bone loss if more than 30% has been depleted and osteoporosis may be missed.
BMD tests. BMD test is the best way to assess the health of your bone. Among the most widely recognized BMD test is dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan or DEXA scan. This painless test that takes around 10 minutes can detect bone density and fracture risk with the use of limited radiation exposure.
CT Scan. In rare occasions your doctor might need let you go through quantitative computed tomography (QCT) to inspect for bone loss. This special type of CT scan is used primarily to assess disease conditions that may be defined by abnormal BMD as well as to monitor response to therapy for these conditions.
Regardless of what diagnostics you need to undergo, it is critical that osteoporosis be found as early as possible to start necessary intervention. Treating the disease with Fosamax, may entail the patient another ordeal that comes in the form of adverse reactions. Currently, a considerable number of people have filed a
Fosamax lawsuit after dealing with such effects that the manufacturer seemingly failed to disclose.
