Did you know that in the United States alone more than 40 million people either already have osteoporosis or are at high risk due to low bone mass? While the majority of those people are women, 29% of them are men. Men can get osteoporosis too.

Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones weaken. Rather than being dense and sturdy structures, they become porous and fragile. This leads to fractures.

The most common fractures are the hips, the spine, and the wrists. Hip and spinal fractures, as you might imagine, can be debilitating and take years to recover from.

If you’re under 30 you may not think about your bone health and osteoporosis. However, now is the perfect time to take action. You can increase bone strength and density up to age 30. After age 30 you start to lose bone density. Continue reading →

Do you have strong bones? Are you maintaining bone mineral density or are you beginning to lose bone mass? These questions are important ones. As men and women age, bone density begins to decline.

The only way to know if you’re at risk for osteoporosis and deadly fractures is to measure your bone mass. It’s a simple test that your doctor can perform in their office. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for a standard bone density test.

It’s Just Like an X-Ray

The bone density test is called a DEXA. It uses a small x-ray to detect the amount of mineral content in your bones. The test usually measures in your hip, spine, or forearm. Your doctor may scan several areas. Continue reading →