Bone Health

Helping women of all ages achieve bone health

For many women in our community the reality of osteoporosis or bone fractures is a real concern.

Southwest General would like to help you in keeping your bones healthy by providing you with the latest information and services that will help make sure your bones are “fit for life”.

The Importance of Your Bones

Many women are unaware that besides providing the inherent foundation or skeletal structure to support your tissue and organs, bone is essential in helping to maintain a balance of blood nutrients. For example, calcium is quickly drawn out of bone when certain medical conditions cause blood calcium levels to drop to a threatening level. Bone acts as a repository for other needed minerals and nutrients too, while producing blood cells and managing the crucial acid-base balance of your blood.

Peak Bone Mass

During the first few decades of your life, you will accrue your "peak bone mass." This is the level at which your skeletal mass it as its highest and is a benchmark used by medical professionals to assess overall bone health. A lower peak bone mass indicates a higher chance of developing osteoporosis in later life.

Understanding what osteoporosis is, and is not, is important in taking action to maintain healthy bones.

Osteoporosis is

Decreased bone density
A degenerative disease
Abnormally porous bones
Becoming more common
among the young
A possible indicator of an
overall health issue

Osteoporosis is not

Thin bones
Normal aging bone loss
A female disorder
An isolated disorder

Assessing the Potential for Bone Disease

The team of orthopedic specialists, radiologists, physical therapists and dietitians at Southwest General is ready to help address your bone health needs with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment tools.

The diagnostic tool most frequently used in measuring bone mineral density (BMD) is dual X-ray absorptiometry, commonly called DEXA Scanning.

This very safe non-invasive procedure uses low levels of radiation to measure the bone mineral density of the spine and hip, sites that are most likely to fracture in patients with osteoporosis. The procedure is commonly performed in our Radiology Department and helps to identify high-risk individuals in need of further evaluation. Using DEXA, together with other diagnostic tools, it is now possible to detect bone disease early and to identify those at highest risk of fracture.

The Importance of Physical Activity and Diet

Physical activity together with and calcium and vitamin D intake are now known to be major contributors to bone health for individuals of all ages. Even though bone disease often strikes late in life, the importance of beginning prevention at a very young age and continuing it throughout life is now well understood.

Risk Factors

By taking the necessary actions, Southwest General can help you achieve the changes in lifestyle that can lead to healthier bones by showing you how to avoid and overcome the following risk factors: