Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
Strong bones are important for healthy aging. They help you stay active and decrease your risk for breaking a bone in a fall. This week on Health Watch, we’ll talk about what you can do to make sure you have strong, healthy bones.
Early diagnosis is crucial for preventing impairment from osteoporosis. Weak, thinning bones leave women at risk for fractures that can lead to disability. Dr. Kimberly Mezera, an orthopaedic surgeon at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says bone scans can identify women at risk for thinning bones early enough for them to take medication to slow the progress of the disease. Women should get a baseline scan at age 50. Post-menopausal women and those with a family history of osteoporosis should get regular scans to detect weakening bones as early as possible.
Next: Women aren’t the only ones who need to worry.
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October 2007
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