What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that affects your bones. It causes the bones to become brittle and break easily. Preventing osteoporosis or treating it in its early stage can reduce your chance of suffering crippling fractures.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

The common symptoms associated with osteoporosis include:

• Stooped posture
• Frequent fractures
• Back pain
• Bones that break easily
• Loss of height over time

You may not have any symptoms in the early stages of osteoporosis, which is why routine screening is vital, especially if you’re at risk.

What are the risk factors for osteoporosis?

While anyone can develop osteoporosis, common risk factors include:

• Poor dietary habits
• Lack of weight-bearing exercise
• Low intake of calcium or vitamin D
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Tobacco use
• Being a woman
• Older age
• Small body frame 
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Hormone imbalance
• Eating disorders
• Past gastrointestinal surgery
• Certain medications
• Some medical conditions

Medical conditions that may increase your chance of osteoporosis include cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease. Kidney disease, liver disease, and rheumatoid arthritis may also boost your risk of low bone density.

Osteoporosis prevention includes getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D through foods or dietary supplements and getting regular exercise — particularly strength-training and weight-bearing workouts. Consider walking, jogging, running, jumping, climbing stairs, or playing sports that involve running or jumping.

How does my doctor diagnose osteoporosis?

To determine if you’re at risk for osteoporosis, your Bay Area Physicians for Women specialist asks about your medical history, medications, and lifestyle habits. They also review symptoms you may have.

Your provider checks your vital signs, completes a physical exam, and may recommend blood tests or bone scans.

How is osteoporosis treated?

Your personalized osteoporosis treatment plan could include:

Lifestyle changes

Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake to reduce your chance of further bone loss. Take precautions to prevent falls, eat nutritious foods, stay active, and get plenty of sleep. 

Medications 

Taking medications can strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of fractures. Your Bay Area Physicians for Women specialist tailors a medication regimen that matches your needs.

Dietary supplements

Your women’s health provider may recommend you take dietary supplements containing calcium, vitamin D, and other bone-strengthening micronutrients. 

Hormone therapy

If hormone imbalance is the cause of low bone density, your Bay Area Physicians for Women specialist offers hormone replacement therapy to normalize your levels. 

To minimize your risk of osteoporosis and fractures, schedule an appointment with Bay Area Physicians for Women by phone or online today.