Information on osteoporosis can be found on:
Osteoporosis Canada website
National Osteoporosis Foundation website
Things you can do to reduce bone loss include:
- make sure you get enough calcium in your diet
- take a vitamin D supplement
- avoid smoking
- get regular weight bearing exercise
- limit alcohol intake
You doctor can help you determine if you should consider bone density testing by doing a fracture risk assessment. Things that will increase your risk score include a parent with a hip fracture, smoking, previous osteoporotic fracture, age over 65, smoking, higher alcohol intake, use of oral steroid medication or other medication known to casue bone loss, low weight and/or early menopause.