Post menopausal Osteoporosis
If you are past menopause and have constant pain in areas such as neck or lower back , consult your doctor for further evaluation. If you are at risk for developing osteoporosis , also consult your doctor for a medical assessment and bone density screening.
Go to the hospital if you feel severe pain in your muscles or bones that limits your ability to function. Go to the hospital’s emergency department if you have sustained trauma or suspect fractures of your spine, hip, or wrist.
Self-Care at Home
If you suspect that you have signs or symptoms of
osteoporosis or have risk factors for
osteoporosis, see your doctor for further evaluation and treatment.
Follow-up
If you are being treated with estrogen replacement therapy, have routine mammograms, pelvic exams, and Pap smears as recommended to monitor the possible medication side effects. If you are on nonhormonal treatment, have urine and kidney function tests and routine follow-up visits with your doctor.
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Prevention
Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing
osteoporosis later. The average woman has acquired 98% of her skeletal mass by age 30 years.
One way to assess your risk for developing osteoporosis is to perform the Simple Calculated Osteoporosis Risk Estimation
(SCORE) screening questionnaire at Merck Frosst Canada. This questionnaire was developed to help identify postmenopausal women aged 50-70 years who should be evaluated for
osteoporosis.
There are 4 steps to prevent osteoporosis. No one step alone is enough to prevent osteoporosis.
- A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
- Weight-bearing exercise
- A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake
- Medication to improve bone density when appropriate
Outlook
With adequate treatment, the progression of
osteoporosis can be slowed, stopped, or reversed. Nevertheless, some people become severely disabled as a result of weakened bones. Hip fractures are a frequent fracture and leave about half of those who break a hip unable to walk independently. By age 80 years, 15% of women and 5% of men have hip fractures. Hip fractures lead not only to morbidity but also to mortality. Thus,
osteoporosis is a serious disease that requires better efforts at prevention, detection, and treatment.
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