Friday, August 17, 2012

The Silent Disease


It sneaks up on you slowly, and then, suddenly, without warning, a bone breaks.  It’s often the first sign of osteoporosis – the silent disease.  Silent because there are no symptoms of the gradual thinning and loss of bone density in the progression of the disease.

Screening for osteoporosis using plain X-ray images is a waste of time.  By the time bone density changes are noted in these images, you’ve already lost 30% or more of bone mass.  A DEXA scan (dual-energy X-ray absorbtiometry) is the way to go.  It’s a more sensitive and reliable way to detect early stages of osteoporosis.  If you’re a 45-year-old woman – postmenopausal – it’s time to get a diagnostic, DEXA scan.  Read about osteoporotic fractures and special treatment procedures in Back Surgery – Avoid the Nightmare, available at Amazon.


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