Disease Prevention in Women
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Disease prevention in women overview
Screening tests are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests
are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may
be available elsewhere. Take an active role and discuss screening tests with
your doctor early in life. The following charts are beneficial (generally simple
and safe) screening tests that can help detect diseases and conditions before
they become harmful.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition with progressive loss of bone density leading to
bone fractures. Estrogen is important
in maintaining bone density. When estrogen levels drop after menopause, bone loss accelerates. Thus osteoporosis is most
common among postmenopausal women.
Screening tests
Measurement of bone density using dual energy X-ray
absorptiometry (DEXA) scan
DEXA bone density scanning can:
- detect osteoporosis before fractures occur
- predict the risk of future bone fractures
- Although still controversial, some doctors use bone density to monitor
effects of osteoporosis treatments
Who to test and how often
The National Osteoporosis Foundation guidelines state that all postmenopausal
women below age 65 who have risk factors for osteoporosis or medical conditions
associated with osteoporosis and all women aged 65 and older should consider
bone density testing.
High risk factors include:
Benefits of early detection
Osteoporosis produces no symptoms until a bone fracture
occurs. Bone fracture in osteoporosis can occur with only a minor fall, blow, or
even just a twist of the body that ordinarily would not cause an injury.
Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis can decrease the risk of bone
fractures.
Prevention measures include:
- Quitting smoking and curtailing alcohol intake
- Performing regular weight-bearing exercises, including
walking, dancing, gardening and other physical activities, and (supervised)
muscle strengthening
exercises.
- Getting adequate calcium and vitamin D intake
- Medications may be taken to prevent osteoporosis. The
most effective medications for osteoporosis that are approved by the FDA are
anti-resorptive agents, which prevent bone breakdown. Examples include Others
include alendronate (Fosamax),
risedronate (Actonel),
raloxifene (Evista),
ibandronate (Boniva),
calcitonin (Calcimar), and
zoledronate (Reclast).
- While hormone therapy containing estrogen has been shown to prevent bone
loss, increase bone density, and decrease the risk of fractures, HT has also
been associated with health risks. Currently, HT is recommended for women for
the treatment of menopausal symptoms only at the lowest
effective dose for the
short-term.
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