Holland Hospital provides an interdisciplinary approach to help you manage the health of your bones. With the goal of preventing falls and fractures, patients undergo an initial 90-minute, one-on-one assessment which includes:

• Your medical history and current condition, including your nutritional status and lifestyle factors that impact bone health
• A focused physical examination of the musculoskeletal system
• Discussion of the risk factors for osteoporosis
• Strength and balance testing, including a Fall Risk Assessment
• On-site bone mineral density screening by trained radiologists if it has not been performed within the past two year
• On-site vertebral fracture assessment, conducted with a DXA scanner, if appropriate
• Laboratory testing, if appropriate
• Education and assistance in understanding osteopenia and osteoporosis and the steps you can take to protect yourself from further bone loss and possible fracture
• Follow-up recommendations including a personalized treatment plan and lifestyle counseling
• Medical management, which may include medications to diminish bone loss or increase bone density

For Women
Bone mineral density screening is recommended for women age 65 and older. Women ages 60 to 64 should be screened if they have risk factors in addition to menopause. Read more about the risk factors for osteoporosis.

For Men
Many men don't think they are at risk for osteopenia or osteoporosis since these are conditions commonly associated with older women. However, aside from the hormonal changes women experience during menopause, the risk factors for osteopenia and osteoporosis are the same for men as they are for women.

Because men have a higher peak bone mineral density than women at middle age, osteopenia and osteoporosis tend to happen at an older age. Experts recommend a bone mineral density test for men who are older than age 70, or who have additional risk factors. Read more about the risk factors for osteoporosis.

What Causes Osteopenia?
As bones age, they naturally become thinner. Beginning in middle-age, existing bone cells are reabsorbed by your body faster than new bone is made. As bones lose mass and structure, they weaken and become more likely to break.

This process tends to be more rapid in women due to the hormonal changes they experience as they age. Estrogen and other female hormones strengthen women's bones. As estrogen levels decline during menopause, natural bone loss can accelerate. As a result, women are four times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis.

Your bones naturally become thinner as you grow older because, beginning in middle age, existing bone cells are reabsorbed by your body faster than new bone is made. As this occurs, the bones lose minerals, heaviness (mass), and structure, making them weaker and increasing their chances of breaking. You begin losing bone mass after your peak BMD at about 30 years of age. The thicker your bones are at age 30, the longer it takes to develop osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Osteopenia refers to BMD that is lower than normal peak but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. Some people who have osteopenia may not have bone loss, but rather just naturally lower bone density. Osteopenia may also be the result of other conditions or diseases.  

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
There are many lifestyle choices, common diseases and medications that place you at increased risk. Risk factors for osteoporosis include:

• Family history of osteoporosis
• Personal or family history of fragility fracture
• Smoking
• Alcohol abuse
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Low calcium intake
• Menopause
• Caucasian or Asian race.

Learn more about osteoporosis treatment and our bone strength program.