Eight million women in have osteoporosis, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. “By 65 every woman should have had a bone density scan, sooner if they have the risk factors associated with osteoporosis and are post-menopausal.” says SIU OB/GYN Dr. Casey Younkin.

Are you at risk? The risk factors include:

• being underweight
• smoking
• having a family history of osteoporosis
• taking steroids
• Caucasian women are also at a higher risk

Diagnose: A bone density scan, also known as a DXA scan looks somewhat like a tanning bed. It shows the amount of bone in the hip, spine or other bones and is used to diagnose osteoporosis in women age 50 and over. A second scan is done one to two years after the first, and the physician compares results to determine if bone density has decreased.

Treat: SIU HealthCare’s bone health clinic treats and educates those with osteoporosis. The clinic is staffed by SIU obstetricians/gynecologists, rheumatologists, orthopaedists and endocrinologists who provide primary and secondary fracture prevention, as well as bone fragility treatment, care and education to at-risk patients in the central and southern Illinois area. To make an appointment with the bone health clinic, call 217-545-8000.