New clinical guidelines issued by the National Osteoporosis Foundation confirm that bone thinning is an equal opportunity condition. For the first time, the Foundation includes men over the age of 50 as well as post-menopausal women of all ethnicities in its recommendations.

Osteoporosis-related fractures cause more than 432,000 hospital admissions, almost 2.5 million medical office visits, and about 180,000 nursing home admissions each year in the U.S. The cost to the healthcare system associated with osteoporosis-related fractures was an estimated $17 billion in 2005.

The new clinical guidelines recommend that men and women over the age of 50 receive a risk assessment and advice on osteoporosis prevention, including:

• Consuming adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D.
• Performing regular weight
• bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises.
• Avoiding tobacco use and excessive alcohol intake.
• Talking to your provider about bone health.
• Having a bone mineral density test (BMD) and taking medication when appropriate.

The Foundation also recommends BMD testing for women 65 years of age and older and men age 70 and above. BMD testing is suggested for men and postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 70 if their doctor determines they are at high risk for low bone mass.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technology is the current standard of care for bone mineral density testing. UTMG offers DXA testing in the Department of Medicine at Germantown. To schedule an appointment, call 448-7000.

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