How to Diagnose Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that typically affects menopausal and post-menopausal women, though steroid use and advanced age can also cause the disease in men. Symptoms such as suspicious bone injuries, loss of height and unexplained back pain should be discussed with your physician. Read on to learn how to diagnose osteoporosis.

Instructions

• 1

  Know that women are much more likely than men to develop osteoporosis. Doctors recommend that women who fall into any of the following categories be screened for osteoporosis: women who went through early menopause, women with Type 1 diabetes, women with liver disease, women with kidney disease, women taking prednisone to treat arthritis or colitis and menopausal women with a family history of osteoporosis.

• 2

  Understand that the symptoms of osteoporosis generally don't appear until the disease has already begun to adversely affect bones. A condition called "osteopenia" refers to early or minor bone loss and is considered a precursor to osteoporosis. Your doctor can diagnose osteopenia using the same methods used to detect osteoporosis.

• 3

  Have your doctor measure your bone density using a reliable, quick, non-invasive technique known as a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (usually abbreviated DXA or DEXA). Bones in your back, wrists and hips are checked out, since these areas are most susceptible to the damage caused by osteoporosis.

• 4

  Know that ultrasound, computed topography (CT) scanning and X-rays can also be used to detect losses of bone mineral density. Your doctor may use these tests in combination with blood testing to eliminate any possibility of your symptoms being caused by an undetected cancer that has spread to your bones.

• 5

  Seek support if you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. A great many resources and services are available to improve the quality of life of osteoporosis patients at the National Osteoporosis Foundation. See the Resources section below for a link. You can find tips for managing your condition and connect with other patients, as well as donate to the fight against the disease.