Reno Osteoperosis - Northern Nevada Medical Center

Osteoporosis: Gradual, Silent and Devastating

Calcium

It is estimated that at age 50, a woman has nearly a 40 percent chance of developing an osteoporotic fracture during her remaining lifetime. A woman's lifetime risk of hip fracture alone is equal to the combined risk of developing breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer — and up to 20 percent more women who suffer hip fractures die within one year of the fracture than those of a similar age who haven't suffered a hip fracture.

What services does Vista Osteoporosis Center offer?
Vista Osteoporosis Center offers complete screening, diagnosis and treatment services for osteoporosis and related conditions. The center was established in 1996 by co-medical directors Dennis Brown, M.D., and John DeWeerd, M.D., in partnership with Northern Nevada Medical Center. Drs. Brown and DeWeerd are board certified internists.

A bone density measurement can help your doctor diagnose osteoporosis. Early detection using bone density measurement is the best way to protect yourself from the potentially debilitating effects of osteoporosis.

What is a bone density measurement?
A bone density measurement will determine your bone mineral density (BMD) for the area measured and compare that result with the average BMD of young normal adults of your sex and race at peak BMD. This information will help your doctor determine if you need to take certain steps to protect your bone health. Bone density measurement is simple, safe, noninvasive and painless, and you don't need to undress.

How long does a measurement take?
Vista Osteoporosis Center uses a advanced bone density diagnostic device, the DEXA. A DEXA study takes about 30 minutes. You will be asked to be very still during that time.

How much radiation will I be exposed to?
You will be exposed to very little radiation — in fact, in most cases, less than a standard chest X-ray. As with any medical procedure, be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothing, preferably something without metal buttons, buckles, or zippers.

Baby boomers can fight osteoporosis

While many of the American women reaching their fiftieth birthdays in the next decade may feel well informed about high profile diseases such as breast cancer, a disease that has been called "the silent thief" may be sneaking up on them. But unlike breast cancer, osteoporosis, the bone-thinning condition affecting 28 million Americans and 29,000 Nevadans — 80% of them women — can be prevented.*

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Sports injuries can warn of bigger problems in female athletes

When is exercise not a good thing? For most women, increased physical activity means they've followed all the best medical advice toward fitness and better health. However, the pressure to excel can lead to three serious medical problems: disordered eating, amenorrhea (loss of menstrual periods) and osteoporosis (brittle bones).

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