Osteoporosis is a bone disease that’s common in the United States, affecting almost 20 percent of women and 5 percent of men over age 50. Osteoporosis occurs when bones are weakened by hormone shifts ...

At least 1 in 5 women older than 50 in the U.S. have osteoporosis, but many don’t realize it. Women 65 years and older should have a bone density scan to screen for osteoporosis, updated guidelines ...

If you’re someone who’s at risk for developing osteoporosis, you’re probably well-accustomed to receiving regular bone density tests. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) is a radiologic ...

For a sidebar on how this story came together, click here. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has long been the gold standard for osteoporosis screening. But now, thousands of patients may be ...

Preventive screenings, such as bone density tests, can help identify potential medical problems. Medicare covers some costs. Bone density tests may help prevent expensive reparative treatments.

The doctors and nurses at the emergency room in Jacksonville, Florida, were “perplexed,” as Dia Thomas remembers it. They believed her when she said she was in pain—imaging had revealed fractures in ...