Located at North Oaks Diagnostic Center
15837 Paul Vega, MD, Drive
(on the campus of North Oaks Medical Center)
Hammond, LA 70403
At North Oaks Diagnostic Center, radiologic technologists use the QDR 9500C Bone Densitometer to detect bone changes rapidly and painlessly with a physician’s order.
 What is osteoporosis?
- Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become thinner.
- Osteoporosis causes the body to remove more bone than it replaces. This means that bones may become more likely to break. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that is common, especially in older women. But young people and men may develop osteoporosis, too.
- Osteoporosis may be prevented, and with proper therapy, it can be treated. Adequate calcium, vitamin D, appropriate exercise and, in some cases, medication is important for maintaining bone health.
- A bone density test can measure bone mass and may help determine bone strength and predict the risk of future fracture.
Who is at risk for osteoporosis?
- Women age 65 and older
- Men age 70 and older
- Women who are going through or who are past menopause ("the change")
- Caucasian and Asian women
- Small, thin-boned people
- People with a family member with osteoporosis
- People who do not get enough calcium or vitamin D
- Those who do not exercise
- Smokers
- Those who drink alcohol excessively
- Those on bone-thinning medicines (like prednisone or other corticosteroids) for a long time
How can osteoporosis affect me?
- You may not have any pain or other symptoms when osteoporosis begins.
- You may be more likely to break (fracture) a bone in your back, wrist or hips, especially if you fall.
- You may "shrink" (get shorter).
- You may get a "hump" (curve) in your back.
- You may have bad back pain that may prevent your involvement in some activities.
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