• Get a Bone Density Test
•Strengthen Your Legs
•Take Calcium and Vitamin D
•Calcium Calculator
•Prescription Medicines for Osteoporosis
•Vision Care
•Home Safety Check
•Talking to Your Doctor About Osteoporosis

Get a Bone Density Test:
A bone density test is a quick and painless kind of xray. It’s the best way to find out if your bones are being affected by osteoporosis. Bone density tests are inexpensive and covered by Medicare. Ask your doctor about getting a bone density test.Several different techniques can be used to measure bone density:" Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) DEXA is the most common and the accurate way to measure bone density. It is fast and uses very low doses of radiation. DEXA bone scans require no prep, no prodding, no needles. It is one of the simplest types of medical tests. Usually, the DEXA scan is done in the xray department of a hospital but some doctors have their own small portable Peripheral DEXA machine located right in the doctor’s office." Ultrasound Ultrasound is sometimes used as an initial bone density test. If the ultrasound test shows low bone density, then DEXA is used to confirm the results. Ultrasound uses sound waves, usually in the heel. Ultrasound is rapid, painless, and uses no radiation" Dual photon absorptiometry (DPA). DPA uses a radioactive substance (gadolinium) to produce radiation. DPA has a slower scan time than the other methods; however, like other bone density tests, DPA uses very low doses of radiation. " Quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) is a type of CT Scan that measures the bone density of the spine or another area of the body. It is not used as often as other bone density measurement techniques because it costs more, is less accurate and uses more radiation.

Strengthen Your Legs:Strong legs are the number one factor in preventing falls. It gives you the muscle you need to keep going strong for long periods of time. It also improves your balance, so you’re less likely to fall if you trip. Walking in the simplest leg-strengthening exercise. It is highly beneficial for people at all levels of fitness. If needed, use a walker or cane and take frequent rests. Be sure to walk on a hard level surface that is clear of barriers that you could trip on. Here are some very effective exercises to strengthen your legs that you can do while sitting in a chair or lying in bed. Lorem ipsum

Take Calcium and Vitamin D:Most Americans don't get enough calcium and Vitamin D in their diet. Use the calcium calculator to find out if you are getting enough. Calcium is a mineral that builds bones and Vitamin D is a critical nutrient that helps your body to absorb calcium. Except teens, people over 50 need more calcium than any other age group, including young children. That’s so because your bones never really stop renewing themselves. As you age, your bone tissue breaks down faster so you need to take in more calcium to keep your bones strong.

Different kinds of Calcium Supplements: One confusing point is that there are many different kinds of calcium supplements. This section will include a list of different kinds of calcium supplements, e.g. calcium carbonate, calcium citrate and discuss the pros and cons of each.

Vitamin D This section will discuss sources of Vitamin D.Caution Tell you doctor if you are taking calcium supplements. Check with your doctor before your start taking calcium supplements if you have problems with iron deficiency, are taking tetracycline, etc. In general this section will discuss contraindications for taking calcium supplementsCalcium Calculator:You can visit these sites to calculate your calcium recomendations:www.osteoporosis.ca

Prescription Medication for Osteoporosis:This page will present basic information about the different types of prescription medicines that increase bone density: estrogen, raloxifene, alendronate, calcitonin.

Update Your Vision Care:This page will discuss key vision care issues for older adults in the context of fall prevention

Do a Home Safety Check:This page will present information about making your home more fall-proof.

Talk to Your Doctor:This page will urge users to make an appointment with their doctor to discuss osteoporosis. It will include a checklist of discussion points they can print out to take with them to the doctor visit.