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What is
osteoporosis?
It is a disease in which bones become
more fragile and more likely to break.
Osteoporosis or "porous bones" causes bones, especially in the spine, wrist,
and hips, to become brittle. The broken bones that may result can lead to
pain, height loss, difficulty moving around, and possible permanent
disability and dependence.
Program Goals
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Increase the knowledge of osteoporosis
and its prevention
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Increase the number of women being screened for
osteoporosis
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Increase identification of moderate and
high-risk women and timely referral for medical treatment
Target Population
Moderate to high-risk women
Women considered to be at high risk include:
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All post-menopausal women under 65
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Any woman with a score of 3 or more on the risk
assessment tool provided by the program
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All women over 65
What are the highest risk
factors?
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Female gender
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Family history of osteoporosis
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Diet deficient in calcium
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Sedentary lifestyle
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Smoking
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Small or thin body structure
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Early Menopause either natural or due to surgery
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Excessive use of alcohol and caffeine
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Prolonged use of certain medications such as
steroids, thyroid and anticonvulsants
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of osteoporosis is usually made by your doctor using a
combination of a complete medical history and physical exam, skeletal
X-rays, bone densitometry and specialized laboratory tests.
Our Bone Density screening can now help identify if you are at risk for
osteoporosis or may be in the early stages of the disease, giving you more
treatment options to help prevent further bone loss.
This is a safe, painless, quick, accurate, non-invasive screening that
measures bone density.
Osteoporosis Prevention
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To reach optimal peak bone mass and continue
building new bone tissue as you get older, there are several factors you should consider:
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Take adequate amounts of calcium
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Adequate amount of Vitamin D
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Increase bone mass when young
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Prevent bone loss and fractures
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Weight-bearing exercise, which includes walking,
jogging and use of weights
Building Better Bones brochure
in pdf file
Check the Calendar page for
information on scheduled Building Better Bones programs
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To learn more about the Building Better Bones program,
screenings,
and to arrange a program for your women’s group or organization,
call the Osteoporosis Program,
Kane County Health Department at
(630)264-7689
This
program is made possible through a grant from
Office of Women’s Health
Illinois Department of Public Health
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