subject: Are You At-risk For Osteoporosis? [print this page] Are You At-Risk for Osteoporosis? Are You At-Risk for Osteoporosis?
You might be and not know it.
Women, who are over the age of 50 or past menopause, should consider having a bone density test especially if you:
Are thin, or small-boned (especially Caucasian and Asian women)
Have a family history of osteoporosis
Have early menopause (before 45)
Have discontinued hormone replacement therapy.
Men, who are over the age of 65, should consider having a bone density test especially if you:
Have a family history of osteoporosis
Have hypogonadism (low testosterone levels and/or reduced sexual function).
Chronic diseases that affect major organs such as the kindneys, lungs, and stomach that alter hormone levels.
Other Risk Factors
Other risk factors for osteoporosis for both men and women include:
Smoking
Too much alcohol
Too little exercise
Too little calcium (now or during childhood)
A previous broken bone from a minor injury
Certain medications, such as steroids, cortisone, anticonvulsants, too much thyroid hormone.
A number of factors can increase the likelihood that you'll develop osteoporosis some you can change, others you cannot. It is important to take action now to find out your risk for developing osteoporosis.
Ask Your Doctor
If you have one or more risk factor, ask your doctor about getting a bone density test. It is completely painless and takes only 20 minutes. Need a doctor in the Seattle area? Call The Polyclinics new patient representatives at (206) 329-1777 or contact at us at our website at: http://www.polyclinic.com/?q=contact_us. We have multiple locations throughout the greater Seattle area including downtown, Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Northgate.
