What is osteoporosis?
Your bone tissue constantly breaks down, and your body replaces it with new bone. With osteoporosis, the creation of new bone can't keep up with the loss of old bone. As a result, your bones become brittle and weak and can fracture or break due to even the smallest movements.
Who is at risk for osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis affects both women and men. If you're Caucasian or of Asian descent, you may be at increased risk, especially if you're a woman in menopause. Additionally, if you have a family history of osteoporosis, your risk for developing the condition increases.
There's also a link between osteoporosis and hormones. If you have a drop in your sex hormone levels, including estrogen and testosterone, you may be at increased risk. The same is true if you suffer from thyroid conditions or have overactive adrenal glands.
A diet lacking calcium and proper nutrients can have an impact on the development of osteoporosis, especially if you’re underweight or suffer from an eating disorder.
Certain chronic medical conditions, including cancer, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, can also accelerate bone loss.
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
In the early stages of osteoporosis, you may not experience any symptoms. As your bones weaken, you may have symptoms like:
- Back pain
- Stooped posture
- Loss of height
- Frequent bone fracture
What treatments are available for osteoporosis?
Proactive care is a vital part of preventing osteoporosis. It is important to incorporate proper nutrition into your daily diet, including:
- Protein: A building block of your bones found in dairy products, soy, nuts, eggs, and legumes
- Calcium: Supports bone health and is found in dark green, leafy vegetables, orange juice, low-fat dairy product, and dietary supplements
- Vitamin D: Improves your ability to absorb calcium and is found in dairy products, natural sunlight, and supplements.
Regular exercise will keep your bones strong and slow down bone loss. Additionally, maintaining a healthy body weight will reduce the risks of bone loss and fractures due to excess weight.
If you’re already showing signs of osteoporosis, Dr. Khalfin can provide you with medication therapies, including injections, to help prevent additional bone loss.
Book an appointment online or by calling Dr. Khalfin’s office.
*Individual results may vary
