Facts About Osteoporosis

Twenty-five million Americans have osteoporosis. Fifty thousand people die each year because of it. Yet, most of us know little about protecting ourselves from this disease.

Osteoporosis causes progressive bone loss leading to weak and brittle bones that cause more than 1 million hip, spine, and wrist fractures annually.

Nearly one-half of women over age 50 will experience an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. Post-menopausal women are the largest group at high risk for osteoporosis; however, one in five men can be affected also.

Research in osteoporosis is making important new advances in prevention and treatment options. A key factor in this success has been the availability of new and improved diagnostic equipment to measure bone density. Using a LUNAR DXA bone densitometer, physicians can measure a patients bone density and follow it over time. Decreases in bone mass can be accurately determined and prevention and treatment options like diet, exercise and medication can then be specifically tailored to meet the patient's needs.

Bone densitometry is now established as the state-of-the-art technology for non-invasive determination of bone density. "Its role in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, assessment of fracture risk, and monitoring of treatment is unparalleled." says Dr. Mary Turkiewicz.