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Rachel V Thomas

​Osteoporosis Affects Nearly 20% Of US Women Aged 50+: Why Screening Is Key

Nearly one in five women aged 50 and older in the United States has <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/osteoporosis">osteoporosis</a></span>, a <span>bone disease</span> that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. Yet many women remain undiagnosed because the condition often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages.

To improve early detection, the updated recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advise routine <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/osteoporosis">osteoporosis</a> screening</span> for women aged 65 years and older. 

The task force also recommends that postmenopausal women younger than 65 undergo a risk assessment to determine whether they should receive a bone density scan.

<h2>Updated USPSTF Screening Recommendations </h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-senator-trumps-close-ally-lindsey-graham-died-of-aortic-dissection-all-about-the-fatal-heart-emergency-article-155083722" data-type="tilCustomLink">US Senator &amp; Trump's Close Ally Lindsey Graham Died Of Aortic Dissection: All About The Fatal Heart Emergency</a>

<ul><li>Women aged 65 years and older should undergo routine screening with a bone density scan. </li><li>Postmenopausal women younger than 65 should first complete a risk assessment questionnaire to determine whether a bone density scan is needed. </li></ul> 

Women under 65 may need screening if they have one or more risk factors, including: 

<ul><li>Low body weight </li><li>Family history of <span rel="noindex">hip fractures</span> </li><li>Cigarette smoking </li><li>Excessive alcohol consumption </li></ul> 

"Screening is important because osteoporosis causes bones to become weaker and fracture more easily, leading to disability, chronic pain, loss of independence, and even death,” said Task Force member Dr. Esa Davis, professor of family and community medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, NBC reported.

<h2>Why Osteoporosis Often Goes Undetected </h2>

Osteoporosis is often called a "silent disease" because it usually causes no symptoms until a bone breaks. Many people only discover they have osteoporosis after experiencing a fracture. The most common fracture sites include the:

<ul><li>Hip </li><li>Wrist</li><li>Spine</li></ul> 

<h2>Why Osteoporosis Is More Common In Women </h2>

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/study-decodes-why-covid-survivors-continue-to-suffer-vision-problems-article-155056007" data-type="tilCustomLink">Study Decodes Why COVID Survivors Continue To Suffer Vision Problems</a> 

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), data from 2017-2018, published in 2021, showed that:

<ul><li>19.6 per cent of women aged 50 and older had osteoporosis in the femur or lower spine. </li><li>In comparison, 4.4 per cent of men had osteoporosis. </li></ul> 

The study also found that <span>osteopenia</span>—a condition of lower-than-normal bone density that often precedes osteoporosis—was more common in women than men. While osteopenia affected 51.5 per cent of women, it affected 33.5 per cent of men. 

In women, osteoporosis is commonly linked to the hormonal changes that occur after <span>menopause</span>.

Estrogen plays an essential role in building and maintaining strong bones. After menopause, estrogen levels decline significantly, accelerating bone loss and increasing the risk of osteoporosis. 

People who do not build strong bones during childhood and early adulthood are also at greater risk later in life. Factors such as lack of physical activity, eating disorders, and certain health conditions can prevent the body from achieving optimal bone mass during the younger years. 

<h2>What Is Osteoporosis Screening? </h2>

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Doctors use imaging tests to measure bone density and diagnose osteoporosis. A DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan is the standard diagnostic test and measures bone density in the spine, hip, and wrist using a very small amount of radiation.

Ultrasound can also assess bone quality, but it is not used alone to diagnose osteoporosis. If ultrasound findings suggest bone loss, a DXA scan is still required to confirm the diagnosis. 

There is currently no cure for osteoporosis, but treatment and lifestyle changes can help slow bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures. 

<ul><li>Stay physically active and do weight-bearing exercises such as walking. </li><li>Do not smoke. </li><li>Limit alcohol consumption. </li><li>Get enough calcium and vitamin D through your diet. Your healthcare provider may also recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements if needed</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

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Osteoporosis

Osteopenia

osteoporosis screening

bone disease

hip fractures

menopause

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Nearly one in five women aged 50 and older in the United States has osteoporosis, a bone disease that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. Yet many women remain undiagnosed because the condition often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. To improve early detection, the updated recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advise routine osteoporosis screening for women aged 65 years and older. The task force also recommends that postmenopausal women younger than 65 undergo a risk assessment to determine whether they should receive a bone density scan. Updated USPSTF Screening Recommendations Also read: US Senator & Trump's Close Ally Lindsey Graham Died Of Aortic Dissection: All About The Fatal Heart EmergencyThe USPSTF recommends:Women aged 65 years and older should undergo routine screening with a bone density scan. Postmenopausal women younger than 65 should first complete a risk assessment questionnaire to determine whether a bone density scan is needed.  Women under 65 may need screening if they have one or more risk factors, including:  Low body weight Family history of hip fractures Cigarette smoking Excessive alcohol consumption  "Screening is important because osteoporosis causes bones to become weaker and fracture more easily, leading to disability, chronic pain, loss of independence, and even death,” said Task Force member Dr. Esa Davis, professor of family and community medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, NBC reported. Why Osteoporosis Often Goes Undetected Osteoporosis is often called a "silent disease" because it usually causes no symptoms until a bone breaks. Many people only discover they have osteoporosis after experiencing a fracture. The most common fracture sites include the:Hip WristSpine Why Osteoporosis Is More Common In Women Read More: Study Decodes Why COVID Survivors Continue To Suffer Vision Problems According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), data from 2017-2018, published in 2021, showed that:19.6 per cent of women aged 50 and older had osteoporosis in the femur or lower spine. In comparison, 4.4 per cent of men had osteoporosis.  The study also found that osteopenia—a condition of lower-than-normal bone density that often precedes osteoporosis—was more common in women than men. While osteopenia affected 51.5 per cent of women, it affected 33.5 per cent of men.  In women, osteoporosis is commonly linked to the hormonal changes that occur after menopause. Estrogen plays an essential role in building and maintaining strong bones. After menopause, estrogen levels decline significantly, accelerating bone loss and increasing the risk of osteoporosis. People who do not build strong bones during childhood and early adulthood are also at greater risk later in life. Factors such as lack of physical activity, eating disorders, and certain health conditions can prevent the body from achieving optimal bone mass during the younger years. What Is Osteoporosis Screening?       Doctors use imaging tests to measure bone density and diagnose osteoporosis. A DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan is the standard diagnostic test and measures bone density in the spine, hip, and wrist using a very small amount of radiation. Ultrasound can also assess bone quality, but it is not used alone to diagnose osteoporosis. If ultrasound findings suggest bone loss, a DXA scan is still required to confirm the diagnosis. Is Osteoporosis Treatable? There is currently no cure for osteoporosis, but treatment and lifestyle changes can help slow bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures. Experts recommend: Stay physically active and do weight-bearing exercises such as walking. Do not smoke. Limit alcohol consumption. Get enough calcium and vitamin D through your diet. Your healthcare provider may also recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements if needed

​osteoporosis affects nearly 20% of us women aged 50+: why screening is key

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