Age is just a number. But it is an important factor when it comes to your bone health.
Everyone loses bone mass as they age, but women are at higher risk of osteoporosis – a condition that causes bones to become thin and weak – compared to men. With osteoporosis, even a simple sneeze can cause bone fractures and seriously affect your quality of life and overall health.
Osteoporosis worsens over time, but treating your bone health early can help keep your bones strong.
Luckily, a simple imaging test called a DEXA scan can tell you everything you need to know about your bone health.
We know that adding another test to the long list of health exams can be a hassle. However, talk to your doctor about a DEXA scan if you have risk factors such as low body weight, a family history of osteoporosis, a history of fractures, or health conditions that may affect bone health. And all women age 65 and older should have a DEXA scan to check for osteoporosis.
Here’s what you need to know about DEXA scans and what your test results mean for your health.
Read: A Guide to Medical Imaging for Women >>
This educational resource was created with support from UCB, a member of the HealthyWomen Corporate Advisory Council.
