Testing will

help your doctor determine if you have osteoporosis or are at increased

risk for breaking bones. Appropriate diets, vitamins or medicines can

then be prescribed.

The National

Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends bone density testing for all

women under the age of 65 who have one or more risk factors for osteoporosis,

not including menopause. It is also recommended for all women over 65.

The risk factors include:

Family history

of osteoporosis or broken bones.

Tobacco, alcohol

and caffeine abuse.

Decreased

hormones during or after menopause or after surgery to remove ovaries.

Lack of physical

activities.

Medications

such as steroids or excessive thyroid hormone.

Inadequate

calcium and Vitamin D in your diet.

Bone density

tests use sound waves or small amounts of radiation to determine the thickness

of bones. The tests are safe, painless, non-invasive and most only take

a few. Bone density testing is very simple for such an important result.

"Osteoporosis is something we can catch and treat early," said

Dr. Mani.

Southern Regional's

Women's Life Center offers patients the most current bone density testing

technology available. These procedures are convenient and safe.

At some facilities,

an appointment can take up to a week or more to schedule. At the Women's

Life Center, it is possible to have an appointment the next day. Completing

registration and conducting the test in the same area also cuts down on

the time a patient will wait.

The most important

factor, however, according to Elizabeth Hadley, M.D., a radiologist at

Southern Regional Medical Center, is that "they make a real

difference in your life."

Contact your

physician for a referral to women's diagnostic services or contact PROMINA

HealthCall at 770-541-1111 for a free physician referral.

Southern Regional

is also sponsoring upcoming lunch and learns to educate the public on

osteoporosis. On June 20 from noon to 1 p.m., Cindy Lauer, MSEd, ATC-L,

Director of SmartBodies Fitness & Wellness Center, and Kim Sherril,

RD, PLD, a registered dietician at Southern Regional Medical Center will

discuss the prevention of osteoporosis. This presentation will be held

at Southern Regional's Health Education Center auditorium and lunch will

be provided. For information and registration call PROMINA HealthCall

at 770-541-1111.

Southern Regional

Health System provides comprehensive health resources including: Southern

Regional Medical Center, a 406-bed, full-service hospital in Riverdale

featuring a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, a women's center,

a Diabetes Resource Center and one of the busiest and best emergency departments

in the state; RiverWoods, Southern Regional Psychiatric Center, a psychiatric

facility with a complete continuum of behavioral care services; Southern

Regional Homecare, a home health agency providing home health services

and the Surgery Center at Mt. Zion, a multi-specialty surgery center in

Morrow.

Back

to Healthwise Home Page |