Have You Checked Your Bone Health?
Most of us know the importance of checking our blood pressure, cholesterol and keeping up to date with recommended health screenings.
But there is another important health check that can sometimes be overlooked: our bone density.
Osteoporosis causes bones to gradually lose strength, making them more likely to fracture. It becomes increasingly common as we get older, particularly after menopause, but can affect both women and men.
The challenge is that osteoporosis usually develops quietly.
There is often no pain, no obvious change in how you feel and no warning that your bones are becoming weaker. For many people, the first sign of osteoporosis is a fracture.
This is why understanding your bone health — and knowing when a bone density check may be appropriate — is an important part of preventive healthcare.
A simple check can tell us a lot about your bones
A bone density scan, also known as a DEXA or DXA scan, is a simple, painless test that measures the density of your bones.
It can help identify reduced bone density and osteoporosis before a fracture occurs.
But a bone density result is not just a number.
When considered alongside your age, medical history, family history, medications and other risk factors, it helps your GP build a clearer picture of your overall bone health and your risk of fractures in the future.
Together, this information can help us identify potential problems early and consider what you can do to protect your bones for the years ahead.
Could you be at risk of osteoporosis?
There are many factors that can affect our bones.
Your risk may be higher as you get older, particularly after menopause, or if you have a family history of osteoporosis or hip fracture.
Other factors can include:
- a previous fracture after a minor fall or injury
- long-term corticosteroid use
- low body weight
- smoking
- higher alcohol intake
- low calcium intake
- vitamin D deficiency
- certain hormonal, thyroid, gastrointestinal or inflammatory conditions
- medications that can affect bone health.
Sometimes, people have several risk factors without realising they may be affecting their bones.
It is also important to remember that osteoporosis does not only affect women. Men can develop osteoporosis too.
Why does finding osteoporosis early matter?
Because fractures can have consequences that extend far beyond the broken bone itself.
For people over the age of 65, a hip fracture can be a major health event, leading to reduced mobility, loss of independence and a decline in overall health.
Australian research has found that people aged 65 and over who experience a hip fracture are more than three times as likely to die within the following 12 months compared with people of a similar age who have not sustained a hip fracture.
While age, frailty and underlying health conditions also influence this risk, it highlights just how significant a hip fracture can be.
This is why identifying osteoporosis before a fracture occurs is so important.
What if my bone density is low?
Finding reduced bone density does not necessarily mean you will need medication.
The first step is understanding your individual risk.
Your GP will consider your bone density results alongside your age, medical history, previous fractures, family history, medications and other factors that may influence your risk.
Depending on your individual circumstances, looking after your bone health may include:
- ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D
- regular weight-bearing and resistance exercise
- maintaining muscle strength and balance
- reducing your risk of falls
- stopping smoking
- reviewing alcohol intake
- investigating possible underlying causes of bone loss
- reviewing medications that may affect your bone health
- considering osteoporosis medication when appropriate.
The aim is not simply to improve a number on a scan.
It is about reducing your risk of fractures and helping you stay strong, active and independent as you get older.
