Osteoporosis testing is key to preventing fractures

Getting tested for osteoporosis and seeking medications like a prescription to buy Fosamax when appropriate is important. Experts say that many people who have the condition are unaware that they have brittle bones. This puts them at a high risk for experiencing a fracture.

Shannon Gardner-Reeves, of Liberty Medical Surgical Clinic in Texas, told the Liberty County Vindicator that the first sign of osteoporosis for most people is a broken bone. However, waiting until a fracture occurs to diagnose the condition is unnecessary.

Testing is widely available and doctors often recommend that people with recognized risk factors get screened. Gardner-Reeves wrote that advanced age, female gender, family history of osteoporosis and a personal history of broken bones are some of the most prominent risk factors.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women over the age of 65 be screened for osteoporosis. Younger women who have specific risk factors should also be tested, the agency says.

Diagnosing the condition early makes it possible for a woman to start therapies, which may include a prescription to buy Fosamax. This can help limit future fracture risk.