Hormone Balance Clinic
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes a loss of bone density, which increases your risk of bone fractures. As osteoporosis progresses, your bones become brittle and prone to breaking.
What causes osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis usually develops due to an imbalance between new bone growth and old bone removal. As we age, new bone formation may fail to keep up with bone loss. For women, bone loss increases dramatically at menopause due to dropping estrogen levels.
Who is at risk of developing osteoporosis?
- Women over age 50
- Small, thin-framed women
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Postmenopausal women
- Low testosterone levels in men
- Inactive lifestyle
- Low calcium intake
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Certain medications (corticosteroids, anti-seizure meds)
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is often called a "silent disease" because you may not know you have it until you break a bone. Some signs include:
- Loss of height over time
- Stooped posture
- Bone pain or tenderness
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
Doctors use several tests to diagnose osteoporosis:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) test to measure bone loss
- Blood and urine tests to rule out other conditions
- Vertebral fracture assessment to check for spinal fractures
How can I prevent and treat osteoporosis?
- Get enough calcium and vitamin D
- Do weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises
- Don't smoke and limit alcohol
- Take bone-friendly medications like bisphosphonates or Prolia
- Use assistive devices to improve balance and prevent falls