women over five-year-old face of osteoporosis, will face two major problems: first, the treatment will increase the number of unnecessary discomfort from the effective drugs, and cause increased side effects; Second, women often need assistance not aware of, and thus increase the risk of severe fractures of the hip.

ago, doctors can not effectively diagnose high-risk group in need of treatment of women. However, the new risk assessment and update of treatment guidelines, has improved this situation. Now, out of date information is only to block the road to health. Here are four myths about osteoporosis.

Myth: menopause when bone density test

Answer: Osteoporosis is bone small holes, leading to easy fracture. Most women should wait until the 60-year-old further bone density test to determine the risk of osteoporosis. Way is to use as dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DXA) machine, so that patients exposed to very low levels of radiation under the inspection program is about 10-30 minutes.

University of Cincinnati Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, said Dr Nelson ? Edwards, early testing may enable patients to unnecessary treatment earlier, this is cause for concern. In addition to the potential side effects, the study also show that, over time the drugs gradually lose their effectiveness.

However, if the following circumstances, physicians should ask whether an early check: there is such a family history of adult fractures had, is Caucasian or Asian, small frame, taking certain medications, had that may increase the risk of disease, such as inflammatory gastrointestinal disease or multiple sclerosis.

Myth: I have been a 60-year-old, but do not worry, because the doctors did not recommend I have a bone mineral density test

answer: Edwards, MD, is head spin difference is that only a small part of the over 60-year-old women and old people and a doctor recommended to check, even at this age are at high risk of osteoporosis group. If more than 60 years old, should take the initiative to require the doctor to test and, based on test results, other health conditions, decided to recheck the time.

Myth: If I have a “pre-osteoporosis”, should start taking

Answer: For many years, doctors do not know how to deal with diagnosis of “osteopenia” of the disease suffering. “Osteopenia” refers to bone mineral density in normal, but not to the point of osteoporosis. “Not all doctors will start taking these women,” Edwards said, “there is no clear provision.” Bisphosphonate prescription drugs generally have side effects, including flu-like symptoms, and difficulty swallowing. In a few cases, patients began treatment a few years, will have serious joint or muscle pain.

However, the WHO introduced a new risk assessment formula, known as “fracture risk assessment” (FRAX), assess not only bone density, and 11 kinds of the bone important health factors into consideration, such as family history, bone erosion is taking drugs. “This method provides women a more complete, more realistic risk assessment, also in need of treatment standards and time to the standard,” Edwards said. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommendations, post-menopausal women with bone loss if the issue or risk assessment of fracture risk than ten years 20 percent, it should be taking. Please physician to help you calculate “fracture risk assessment” scores, or the Internet on their own calculations.

Myth: My very old, bones have stopped growing

answer: you probably heard, the majority of human bone growth during puberty and adolescence, menopause, lack of Estrogen dramatically accelerated bone degradation. However, the National Osteoporosis Foundation clinical director Felicia ? Kasman said, old age, choosing a healthy lifestyle, for bone health, or have a positive impact. According to Tufts University researchers, post-menopausal women if weight training twice a week, a year can increase 1-2 percent of bone density. Any weight training can produce a similar effect, the key is perseverance.

Although the diet can increase bone density, but the right diet can significantly slow down but the rate of bone loss. Remember the intake of calcium-rich diet, the daily goal is 1200 mg. If one day from the diet can not meet calcium needs, can take supplements; intake of supplements, but if more than 500 mg should be divided into two to take. In addition, the best by day, diet, sun exposure or nutritional supplements, intake of 1000 mg of vitamin D, vitamin D and calcium can have an effect, to maintain bone density.

(taken from Taiwan's “lecture” magazine in May 2010 No. Man / Meryl Davids Landau, translation / Chen Jing Yan)