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Like high blood pressure, osteoporosis is what’s known as a “silent” disease. A degenerative condition, osteoporosis causes your bones to become less dense and more porous over time, making them weak, brittle, and much more prone to fractures. It is a very common condition, with about 3 million new cases diagnosed each year in the U.S. It is estimated that one in every two women and one in every four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
Osteopenia is the precursor to osteoporosis.
Those with osteoporosis often don’t even know they have it – until it’s too late. It doesn’t take much to break your bones once you have osteoporosis. For example, a minor bump against furniture can cause a fracture, and so can a strong sneeze or cough. That’s why it’s critical to identify whether you’re at risk of developing osteoporosis, while you can still do something about it.
At Wooster Community Hospital, we’ve got you covered. We’ve teamed up with endocrinologist Dr. Toni King at Bloomington Medical Services to provide comprehensive care for men and women at risk of osteoporosis. It’s all part of our new Bone Health Program.
Reduce Your Osteoporosis Risk With the WCH/BMS Bone Health Program
If you are at risk of developing osteoporosis or believe you may already have the disease, ask about the full-service Wooster Community Hospital/Bloomington Medical Services Bone Health program. This program is designed to identify and address your risk of osteoporosis and help prevent bone fractures common in those with the disease.
How to Tell If You Have Osteoporosis or Osteopenia
The signs and symptoms of osteoporosis are usually the results of broken bones. For example, unexplained back pain, a stooped posture, or a noticeable change in your height could all occur due to a spinal fracture that occurred without you even noticing. The loss of bone density itself causes no pain or other symptoms.
By far the best way to identify osteoporosis or osteopenia is with regular screenings. The WCH/BMS Bone Health Program uses DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scans – essentially a fancier X-ray – that doctors and patients rely on to determine bone density and risk of future fractures. The imaging procedure is quick, noninvasive, and entirely painless. It also utilizes less radiation than a typical X-ray.
Don’t Lose Hope: Osteoporosis Therapies Are Available!
In many cases, you can reduce your overall risk of developing osteoporosis – as well as prevent it from worsening if you have already been diagnosed with it or osteopenia.
Many of these therapies involve promoting good bone health, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet with sufficient protein, and engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise. Physical therapy and rehabilitation should include muscle strengthening and improving your balance. Certain medication and supplements (e.g., calcium, vitamin D) may also help.
The WCH/BMS Bone Health Program includes all this and more, including:
- Routine bone density screenings and assessments
- Medication
- Nutrition counseling
- Physical rehabilitation
- Fall prevention assessment and counseling
- Smoking cessation program
Schedule Your Osteoporosis Screening Today
So, what are you waiting for? Ask your medical provider if you are a good candidate for a DEXA scan. You can also schedule your bone health screening today by calling Dr. Toni King’s office at Bloomington Endocrinology at (330) 263-8470 – and discover how the Bone Health Program at Wooster Community Hospital and Bloomington Medical Services can help you.
