New guidelines on osteoporosis have been issued by the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Women, and especially white, post-menopausal women, who have the highest risk for developing the disease, should be routinely tested for osteoporosis starting at age 65.
Post-menopausal white women who have at least one risk factor for osteoporosis and are under the age of 65 should also seek testing for the disease, according to the Foundation’s guidelines. Risk factors include suffering a bone fracture as an adult, poor health or frailty, cigarette smoking, alcoholism, frequent falls, deficient exercise, and low calcium intake over a lifetime.
Osteoporosis can cause disabling fractures in human bones. A test of bone density in the hip is one of the foundation’s recommended guidelines to prevent the disease.
