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the disease.

If you use tobacco you are at a greater risk.

A person with an eating disorder is at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis.

Long term use of corticosteroid medication puts a person at a greater risk of having osteoporosis.

An over abundance of thyroid hormone can put you at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis.

Diagnosis of Osteoporosis

The beginning signs of osteoporosis are called osteopenia. Osteopenia is slight bone loss that runs the risk of developing into osteoporosis. It is very simple for doctors to tell if a person is at risk for developing osteoporosis.

The simplest test for diagnosing osteoporosis is dual energy X-ray absorptiometry or DEXA. The bone density of the spine, hips and wrists are measured by a DEXA test. Other tests a doctor may use to aid in diagnosing osteoporosis are an ultrasound and a computerized tomography scanning or CT scan.

Treatment of Osteoporosis

The widest used treatment for osteoporosis used to be hormone therapy. Due to the rise in concerns for problems arising from this type of treatment, hormone therapy is becoming a less popular treatment. The most common forms of hormone therapy still recommended are creams, patches and the vaginal ring.

Prescription drugs may aid in slowing the decrease of bone density loss. It is even possible that over time, the bone density may improve. Some prescriptions the doctor may prescribe include:

Bisphosphonates are similar to estrogen and aid in slowing the breakdown of bone. These medicines also help with retaining current bone mass as well as increasing bone mass over time.

Raloxifene or commonly referred to as Estiva imitates the positive effects of estrogen. This medicine is prescribed for women only.

Calcatonin is a hormone that the thyroid gland produces. This medicine has been known to slow bone loss, aid in preventing fractures of the spine and possibly provide relief for pain associated with fractures.

Teraparatide is an extremely powerful medicine that is being used in both men and women. The medicine promotes the production of new bone growth and is given in an injection form daily.

Tamoxifen is a medicine used for women who are at a high risk of developing osteoporosis. This medicine may help in preventing the bones from becoming fractured.

Who Should Be Tested For Osteoporosis?

The National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests certain women at an above average risk for osteoporosis be tested for the disease. Any women not taking estrogen and that falls under any of the following categories should seek a professional bone density test.

Any women over the age of 65

Post-menopausal and at least one risk factor

If a vertebral abnormality is present

Former use of medicines such as prednisone that have been linked to osteoporosis

If you have type one diabetes

If you have liver disease

If you have a thyroid disease

If you have kidney disease

A family history of osteoporosis

Menopause was experienced earlier than normal

Learn more about this author, Breidi Caparatta.
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