Women's Health

Osteoporosis causes a loss of bone mass and destruction of bone tissue. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists.

A bone density test measures the strength and density of your bones as you approach menopause and, when the test is repeated sometime later, can help determine how quickly you are losing bone mass and density.

Bones are tough and resilient, but if you push them hard enough—if you fall on a hard surface, for instance—they can crack or break.

Osteoporosis thins and weakens a person's bones, making them more porous (less dense) and fragile, and thus more likely to break. Although a fracture is often the first outward sign of osteoporosis, a bone mineral density test can help diagnose it before that happens.

A hip fracture is classified by the specific area of the break and the type of break(s) in the bone. It is a serious injury and requires immediate medical attention.

A bone scan is used to examine the various bones of the skeleton to identify areas of physical and chemical changes in bone.

Bone densitometry is used primarily to diagnose osteoporosis and to determine fracture risk.

Magnetic resonance imaging uses a combination of a large magnet, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of structures within the body.

This procedure may be used to diagnose back or neck pain, fractures or broken bones, arthritis, degeneration of the disks, tumors, or other problems.

Detailed information on hip replacement surgery, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, after care, and an anatomical illustration of the anatomy of the hip

Detailed information on computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan of the spine, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, after care, and an anatomical illustration of the spine

Osteoporosis is a disease that slowly weakens bones until they break easily. People who suffer a broken bone related to osteoporosis often experience a downward turn in their overall health.

True or false: If you don't get enough calcium in your diet, your body will take the calcium it needs from your bones.