If osteoporosis is diagnosed in time - that is, before a bone break - it can nearly always be healed. The diagnosis is accomplished in early stages through bone density determination (measurement through so-called quantitated Computer Tomography (QCT) or Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)), which is entirely pain-free, reliable, and very simple. Afterwards, one can be certain that the bones are "unbreakable". Women are affected by osteoporosis earlier than men. That is why they should have their bone density measured after they reach 45 years of age, whereas men should do it
after reaching 50.

Indication for Bone Density Measurement

Risk Faktors:

• old age
  -family history, that is, osteoporosis has already occured in the family
  -lack of motion (e.g. by bedridden conditions
  following illness, disease, or injury)
  -Underweight, especially in women (Body Mass Index
  < 20 or recent weightloss of more than 20 percent)
  -regular taking of medication (e.g. cortisone, marcumar
  or blood clotting inhibitors, thyroid hormones, or dehydration tablets)

• chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Morbus Crohn, ulcerative colitis)

• too much alcohol, nicotine, coffee, or sugar

• too little calcium

• too little vitamin D3,

• or fewer than 1-2 days of daylight

Warning Signals:

• back pain (vertebral breaks are often disguised as
  "ordinary" back pain)

• curvature of the spine with shortness of breath

• significant reduction of bodily height
  (> 4 cm, or 1 ½ in)

• appearance of diagonal
  wrinkles on the back ("Tannenbaum phenomenon")

• muscular weakness

• easily fatigued

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