Osteoporosis Program
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and become brittle due to the loss of bone mass. As a result, high stress points in the body, such as the hips, back and wrists, become vulnerable to fractures. One out of every two women over the age of 60 will develop osteoporosis. Although it can affect both men and women at any age, it is most likely to affect postmenopausal women.
How can it be diagnosed?
Until recently, this disease was difficult to diagnose in its early stages because there were no outward symptoms until a fracture occurred. Today, however, Beaufort Memorial has put the latest technology to work in identifying and tracking this disease. Called bone densitometry, this technology provides an easy, noninvasive screening test for osteoporosis that takes only 15 minutes and is available through our Osteoporosis Program at the Women’s Center. BMH’s bone density studies measure both the hip and the spine. This is more reliable than those that measure the heel or the wrist.
Patients with known bone density loss and/or other risk factors can participate in the program. Contact your physician for a physical therapy referral or call (843) 522-5593.
Here’s how it works
A patient lies fully clothed on a padded treatment table while the machine scans over the body. While scanning, the bone densitometer measures the bone mineral content and density of bone sites (mainly the hip and spine) that are most likely to fracture due to osteoporosis. Bone density studies are recommended for all postmenopausal women to screen for the disease. Costs are covered by most insurance and Medicare. All you need is a referral from your doctor to arrange a screening, or call Beaufort Memorial Hospital at (843) 522-5593.
Patients with known bone density loss and/or other risk factors can participate in the program. Contact your physician for a physical therapy referral or call (843) 522-5593.
Do
you need to see a doctor, or should you just tough it out?