Did you know that, worldwide, about one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will suffer osteoporosis-related fractures in their lifetimes?
Or that more than 12% of U.S. adults aged 50 and over have osteoporosis?
Or that women are much more likely than men to have this condition?
These numbers aren’t just troubling, they could be life-altering for you and your loved ones. Each year, hundreds of seniors and people over 50 are hospitalized in Nevada with bone fractures. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of hospitalizations for seniors in the state.
Fractures in those over 50 can dramatically affect mobility, independence, and quality of life, with osteoporosis as a significant contributing factor. That’s why bone density tests are crucial for anyone over 50.
Below, we’ll explore risk factors for osteoporosis, symptoms, treatments, and how to get a bone density screening in Las Vegas. Your mobility and independence may count on it.
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What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and brittle, usually beginning in people over the age of 50. With age, bones naturally lose their density, making them more likely to break, where once they would have survived a fall or a knock.
Menopause is one significant factor contributing to osteoporosis in women. Estrogen is an important hormone for bone density, and many women see a significant loss of this hormone after menopause. Without enough of it, bone breakdown accelerates.
Based on a 2021 study in the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Research, worldwide more than 20% of women between the ages of 15 and 105 years have osteoporosis, compared with just over 11% for men.
Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
Risk factors for osteoporosis include:
- Age: Those over 50 are more at risk.
- Genetics: Those with a family history of osteoporosis are more at risk.
- Sex: Women are more at risk, especially after menopause.
- Hormone changes: Changes in hormones, such as low estrogen in women or low testosterone in men can be risk factors.
- Medication: Some medications can increase the risk for osteoporosis, including certain cancer treatments and some kinds of steroids.
- Lifestyle factors: Not getting enough calcium or vitamin D, smoking, alcohol consumption, and not getting enough exercise can all contribute to osteoporosis.
- Medical conditions: Medical conditions such as arthritis, kidney disease, and conditions affecting digestion can also contribute.
If you have any of the above risk factors, it may be time for a screening.
What Are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?
The scary part about osteoporosis is that many people have no symptoms unless a bone break occurs after a fall or an accident. This is why bone density tests are so important. Osteoporosis is often a silent disease, and you may not notice bone loss until it’s too late, making a bone test essential.
In some cases, people do have symptoms, but many of these symptoms can be subtle.
Symptoms can include:
- Loss of height with age: Losing even fractions of an inch over time can indicate an issue.
- Changes in posture: This can include a stooped or hunched back, as well as more subtler signs of posture changes, like a slouch where there was none before.
- Back pain: Back pain can be caused by many issues as we age, but an often overlooked one is the weakening of bones in the back, shoulders, and hips from osteoporosis.
- Fractures: If bone breaks happen from minor events, especially where they wouldn’t have happened in the past, this can be indicative of osteoporosis.
- Weakness: Weakness in grip strength, walking distance, and the ability to carry objects can indicate bone density loss.
- Reduced mobility: This includes a reduced ability to bend over and lift things.
How Does a Bone Density Test Work?
A bone density test is a simple test that measures the density of your bone minerals. More specifically, it measures how tightly packed minerals like calcium are within bones at certain areas of the body, usually around your hips and spine. In general, the more minerals and the tighter they are packed together, the better.
What To Expect During the Test
The test is not painful and is completely uninvasive. It usually involves lying on a medical table like you see in the doctors office, while a screening arm passes over your body. It’s similar to an X-ray, but uses a lower dose than when you break a bone.
The test takes about 15 minutes total. It’s exceptionally easy and doesn’t hurt a bit. Everyone at risk should have one.
Should I Get a Bone Density Test?
If you have risk factors for osteoporosis, yes, you should have a test done.
Who Should Consider Testing?
- All women over 65.
- All men over 70.
- Men and women over 50 and have had previous bone fractures.
- Women of menopausal age, with other risk factors such as a family history of osteoporosis.
- People with certain medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers.
- People on medications that affect osteoporosis risk and bone density.
Keep in mind, any bone fractures after age 50 should trigger testing, even without other symptoms.
And if you’re under 65, if you have other risk factors, like a family history of osteoporosis, smoking, or take medication that may contribute to osteoporosis, you should be tested as well.
Understanding the Results of Your Bone Density Test
Bone density tests usually will give you two values: T-scores and Z-scores.
Your T-score is a measure of your bone density against a healthy young person of the same sex as you. Values greater than 1 are normal. Values between 1 and 2.5 show low bone density. Values less than 2.5 show osteoporosis.
Your Z-scores show your bone density vs. other people of your age and sex. These values can help you and your doctor see if there may be problems other than aging contributing to bone loss.
Regular testing is important. You should have a test done every year or two to help you and your doctor track any changes over time. This kind of monitoring can lead to changes in your medications, or indicate when it’s time to make lifestyle changes.
What Are the Treatments for Osteoporosis?
There are a number of effective treatments for osteoporosis. Screenings are important because the earlier you catch osteoporosis, the more effective treatment can be.
These treatments include:
Lifestyle Interventions
Lifestyle interventions are among the most powerful tools to stop or reduce osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercise, such as lifting weights, walking, and dancing can add to bone density. Intake of vitamins, such as calcium and vitamin D, either through diet changes or supplements, has also been shown to help. Smoking cessation and limiting the intake of alcohol can also be effective.
Medical Treatments
If lifestyle changes are not enough by themselves, medications such as bisphosphonates, which are common first line drugs, and hormone therapy may be attempted. Hormone therapy, especially for postmenopausal women, can help in some cases. There are also other medications, some of them newly on the market, which may help.
You should understand that these treatments are always personalized. Each treatment that doctors may try will be based on your particular bone density, age, other medications you may be taking, and risk factors. In general, those who are at risk or have only low bone loss may be able to combat the condition with lifestyle factors, and those with more advanced osteoporosis may need more robust treatments involving medications.
Again, early treatment is key for preventing fractures. Regular bone density tests not only help track progress with treatment and adjust care plans, but can indicate when they are necessary before a fracture happens.
Keeping Your Bones Healthy and Strong
The best medicine is always prevention. Even before an osteoporosis diagnosis, before a fall, before you begin to worry, there are a number of things you can do to keep your bones healthy and strong.
Some tips you can use today to avoid this silent condition include the following:
- Practice weight bearing exercise at least three times per week for at least a half an hour at a time, or as directed by your doctor. Exercises can include activities like weight training, walking, or dancing.
- Take age-maintenance physical therapy classes or look into balance training.
- Eat calcium rich foods. These include dairy, such as milk and eggs, leafy greens, like spinach or arugula, and foods fortified and enriched with calcium, like bread and some cereals.
- Consider supplements that can combat osteoporosis. These include vitamins, such as vitamin D and vitamin A, and minerals, such as calcium.
- Get enough vitamin D. One of the best and most fun ways of doing this is by getting enough sunlight. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen, but enjoy this natural remedy.
- Quit smoking. This is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health, and affects your chance for osteoporosis as well.
- Do not drink to excess. Many studies show that even one drink can harm your health, and research is clear that drinking to excess can contribute to osteoporosis.
- Maintain a healthy body weight. One of the most important factors in overall health is bodyweight, and this factor can contribute to osteoporosis as well.
- Get any worrying symptoms checked. If you have back pain, changes in posture or height, or mobility difficulties, it’s time for a screening.
- Get checked for osteoporosis. You should have a bone density test done once a year or every other year as directed by a doctor.
Don’t Wait, Test Today
Osteoporosis is more common than most people realize. Early detection is key in avoiding all too common broken bones from falls. The earlier osteoporosis and bone loss is detected, the more effectively it can be treated.
Don’t wait for an accident. Call today for a screening and take your health into your hands.
Book your non-invasive scan!
Sources:
Bone health: Tips to keep your bones healthy. (2025).
Ji, M., et al. (2015). Primary Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women.
Osteoporosis. (2025).
Salari, N., et al. (2021). The global prevalence of osteoporosis in the world: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.
