Should you get a bone density test? | Corewell Health

Most individuals are cautious to get the advisable exams to maintain their coronary heart wholesome and detect most cancers as they age.

However there’s one other essential screening that doesn’t get as a lot consideration: the bone density take a look at.

“Osteoporosis is a silent illness, which means there could be no signs,” Arashdeep Litt, MD, inside medication specialist with Corewell Health, mentioned. “That’s the reason it is extremely essential to display sufferers.”

Osteoporosis causes bones to develop into weak and extra prone to break. It impacts each women and men, though older ladies who’re previous menopause are most in danger, Dr. Litt mentioned.

“That is really crucial to your well being,” she mentioned. “Osteoporosis can result in vital incapacity.”

Bone fractures have an effect on many actions in each day dwelling, together with the power to reside independently, she mentioned.

The excellent news: There’s a simple and accessible screening methodology, in addition to methods to assist stop osteoporosis at each life stage.

That screening device known as a bone density take a look at, or DEXA scan. It’s a low-radiation X-ray, usually of the hip and pelvis area, however typically the forearm. It measures what number of grams of calcium and different minerals your bone incorporates.

“It’s so simple as laying on a desk for an X-ray,” Dr. Litt mentioned. “It’s very fast.”

So who ought to have a bone density scan?

It’s advisable for all ladies age 65 or older, in addition to males ages 70-75.

It’s additionally advisable for individuals age 50 or older in the event that they’ve misplaced a complete top of about 1.5 inches, or 0.8 inches in a single 12 months.

Additionally for the over-50 age group, the take a look at is advisable for many who have fractured a bone, taken some medicines—comparable to long-term steroids—or skilled a drop in hormone ranges. (Most cancers therapies in ladies can drop estrogen ranges, for instance, whereas prostate most cancers therapies in males can cut back testosterone ranges).

When you’ve had an preliminary bone density take a look at, your physician will decide while you want one other, Dr. Litt mentioned.

And what in case your bone density take a look at reveals bone loss? Take coronary heart, as a result of there are therapies.

“Not all is misplaced after getting osteoporosis,” Dr. Litt mentioned. “There’s a lot that may be achieved.”

It’s essential to take steps to assist stop falls. This contains regular exercise and strength-building activities.

Therapy for osteoporosis contains way of life adjustments, in addition to medicines comparable to bisphosphonates, which may be taken orally and are designed to sluggish bone loss.

“They’re nice in that, when you cease taking them, they nonetheless proceed to have bone loss advantages,” Dr. Litt mentioned.

These medicines are additionally accessible through annual intravenous therapies for sufferers who can’t tolerate the uncomfortable side effects, though uncomfortable side effects are very uncommon, she mentioned.

Denosumab is one other remedy administered through injection each six months.

For extreme osteoporosis, some medicines not solely sluggish bone loss but in addition assist construct again bone density, she mentioned.

And whereas these therapies can be found, Dr. Litt recommends everybody take proactive steps to stop osteoporosis from ever coming your manner.

Loads of easy way of life adjustments could make a profound distinction.

Get your calcium

The Nationwide Bone Well being and Osteoporosis Basis recommends that girls age 50 and youthful get 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day, whereas ladies age 51 and older get 1,200 milligrams.

Males age 70 and youthful ought to get 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day, whereas age 71 and older ought to get 1,200 milligrams.

This contains calcium out of your eating regimen in addition to vitamin dietary supplements. Excessive-calcium meals embrace dairy merchandise comparable to milk, yogurt and cheese. Different good sources are inexperienced greens and meals fortified with calcium, comparable to juice, soy milk, cereals and breads.

Take vitamin D

To construct and preserve robust bones and muscular tissues, most adults age 50 and youthful will want 400 to 800 worldwide models (IU) each day, whereas these age 50 and older want 800 to 1,000 IU each day.

However some individuals want extra vitamin D to take care of wholesome blood ranges. Dr. Litt recommends talking together with your main care supplier to find out the quantity best for you.

Eat a protein-rich, balanced eating regimen

Maintaining a healthy diet—and consuming a correct quantity of protein—is sweet to your bones. Dr. Litt recommends aiming for 25 to 30 grams of protein with every meal.

Train usually

Whereas all train may be nice, weight-bearing workout routines comparable to strolling, operating or biking are greatest for bone well being. Dr. Litt recommends half-hour, 5 days every week.

She additionally likes sufferers to carry out firming workout routines two or 3 times every week for 10 to fifteen minutes. This strengthens muscular tissues, which protects bones.

“When you have been to take a tumble, then you might be robust sufficient to cease that fall, or your muscular tissues can present cushion to your bones,” she mentioned.

Steadiness workout routines may also assist stop falls as we age.

No matter you might be doing to stop bone loss, don’t neglect following your physician’s suggestions for a bone density take a look at.

“The bottom line is to get screened,” Dr. Litt mentioned. “Osteoporosis can simply be handled, however it’s crucial to not put this on the again burner.”