There is a staggering number of women walking about oblivious of the fact that they have osteoporosis or its forerunner osteopenia. I was one of them. For the most part, this condition, sometimes called a 'silent disease' (like glaucoma) creeps up on you and does not reveal symptoms until a fall occasioning a fracture or break, usually of the hip, spine or wrist -- when x-rays and scans show not only the fracture but porosity indicating the development of osteoporosis. Bone densitometry, otherwise known as a DEXA or DXA scan, a safe, painless, low-dose X-ray that quantifies bone mineral density (BMD) is the gold standard used to diagnose osteoporosis, identify osteopenia, and predict your future risk of fractures. A bone density scan (like PAP smears) should be routinely offered to all women. Moreover, a bone mineral density scan does not tell all of the story, so other tests and signifiers should also be offered. Without strong bones, sufficiently strong muscles and good balance, we are headed prematurely to the 'bone orchard.'
thanks Maggie ... hope your bones are good now?? I think it's time I had some of these tests. Given every other part of medicine tries to keep us alive for so long, you'd think the government/health departments would realise the importance of getting this message out ... you'd think doing so might keep people stronger for longer so they don't need to rely on the public purse.
I feel for your friend Susan. My bones are good at the age of 84. I have had a few falls but nothing broken except pride and a few massive bruises. Re age Demi Moore, like many women in her profession - has FOMO syndrome - fear of missing out on being relevant. It must be really tough to stay relevant when so many newbie gorgeous girls are coming through. I confess when I was premenopausal asking my gynaecologist if he knew of a good plastic surgeon. I was feeling ravaged with work and a teenage daughter and thought a facelift would help. He was furious with me. Said I was beautiful and he would take me into an operating theatre to see how a plastic surgeon performed a facelift. It isn't pretty, he said. That did it for me! I never thought about it again!
I just find it so extraordinary that you can reverse the results of a bone density test just by lifting weights!!! I'm so happy for her and lifting weights myself now!
Dear Stephanie, thanks for sharing the plight of your friend, Susan. I’m in the same age bracket and I’m grateful that I’ve always had the urge to stay strong and to work on my balance. I understand that not everyone has that natural urge to move, so a reminder could be life changing for them.
I’ve taken advantage of a free service from COTA Australia which offers a balance test to older Australian. If the balance needs improvement, they also provide relevant exercises. It’s so important to prepare the ageing body for independence. My husband has dementia and my children are interstate so my well-being is in my own hands. So many of my friends and acquaintances are in the same position. So yes - be prepared, be proactive and be positive.
Julie, I am assuming you are referring to the bone density test. If that is correct, you can request a bone density test (DEXA or DXA scan) from your GP. You don't have to wait until you've broken or fractured a bone! Or you can ask your GP for a referral to an endocrinologist who will give you a request form for a bone density scan and may do other tests. The actual test is the easiest thing on earth. You don't even have to remove your clothing (other than anything with metal, such as metal buttons, zippers or buckle). The scan is quick, painless, non-invasive. You simply stretch out on your back on a padded X-ray table and lie very still. A mechanical scanning arm passes slowly over your body (with attention to hip, lower spine, or forearm). You are not enclosed in a tunnel, as for an MRI. The scan can take as little as 10 minutes. For more information here are a couple of links:
Great to have you back! My sisters and I are currently dealing with our father’s recurrent falls and rapid decline. Very challenging.
FYI I’m fairly sure Crabb’s podcast is about the State Library of NSW, not Victoria.
yep, you're right, I knew that, just broken brain. thanks!
There is a staggering number of women walking about oblivious of the fact that they have osteoporosis or its forerunner osteopenia. I was one of them. For the most part, this condition, sometimes called a 'silent disease' (like glaucoma) creeps up on you and does not reveal symptoms until a fall occasioning a fracture or break, usually of the hip, spine or wrist -- when x-rays and scans show not only the fracture but porosity indicating the development of osteoporosis. Bone densitometry, otherwise known as a DEXA or DXA scan, a safe, painless, low-dose X-ray that quantifies bone mineral density (BMD) is the gold standard used to diagnose osteoporosis, identify osteopenia, and predict your future risk of fractures. A bone density scan (like PAP smears) should be routinely offered to all women. Moreover, a bone mineral density scan does not tell all of the story, so other tests and signifiers should also be offered. Without strong bones, sufficiently strong muscles and good balance, we are headed prematurely to the 'bone orchard.'
thanks Maggie ... hope your bones are good now?? I think it's time I had some of these tests. Given every other part of medicine tries to keep us alive for so long, you'd think the government/health departments would realise the importance of getting this message out ... you'd think doing so might keep people stronger for longer so they don't need to rely on the public purse.
I feel for your friend Susan. My bones are good at the age of 84. I have had a few falls but nothing broken except pride and a few massive bruises. Re age Demi Moore, like many women in her profession - has FOMO syndrome - fear of missing out on being relevant. It must be really tough to stay relevant when so many newbie gorgeous girls are coming through. I confess when I was premenopausal asking my gynaecologist if he knew of a good plastic surgeon. I was feeling ravaged with work and a teenage daughter and thought a facelift would help. He was furious with me. Said I was beautiful and he would take me into an operating theatre to see how a plastic surgeon performed a facelift. It isn't pretty, he said. That did it for me! I never thought about it again!
Good to read about your friend in her 60s, whose optimism about life and her future has increased significantly.
I just find it so extraordinary that you can reverse the results of a bone density test just by lifting weights!!! I'm so happy for her and lifting weights myself now!
I love the Gemma Correll cartoon!
Isn't it great! I think I'm a broken slinky ... or maybe a vortex.....
Dear Stephanie, thanks for sharing the plight of your friend, Susan. I’m in the same age bracket and I’m grateful that I’ve always had the urge to stay strong and to work on my balance. I understand that not everyone has that natural urge to move, so a reminder could be life changing for them.
I’ve taken advantage of a free service from COTA Australia which offers a balance test to older Australian. If the balance needs improvement, they also provide relevant exercises. It’s so important to prepare the ageing body for independence. My husband has dementia and my children are interstate so my well-being is in my own hands. So many of my friends and acquaintances are in the same position. So yes - be prepared, be proactive and be positive.
Where can I find out about this test. Thanks
Julie, I am assuming you are referring to the bone density test. If that is correct, you can request a bone density test (DEXA or DXA scan) from your GP. You don't have to wait until you've broken or fractured a bone! Or you can ask your GP for a referral to an endocrinologist who will give you a request form for a bone density scan and may do other tests. The actual test is the easiest thing on earth. You don't even have to remove your clothing (other than anything with metal, such as metal buttons, zippers or buckle). The scan is quick, painless, non-invasive. You simply stretch out on your back on a padded X-ray table and lie very still. A mechanical scanning arm passes slowly over your body (with attention to hip, lower spine, or forearm). You are not enclosed in a tunnel, as for an MRI. The scan can take as little as 10 minutes. For more information here are a couple of links:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bone-density-scan
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/dexa-scan/what-happens/
Thank you
Hi Julie, I'm not sure exactly what Glenda is referring to re the COTA test (Glenda?) but maybe start looking here - https://cotaact.org.au/services/strength-for-life/
COTA stands for Council on the Ageing ACT. There may be an equivalent where you live.