Osteoporosis Specialist

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis literally means porous bones. It’s a serious bone disease that causes weak and brittle bones, making them more susceptible to breaks and fractures.

People with osteoporosis may develop fractures when engaging in normal activities, such as walking down the stairs or stepping out of the shower. Broken bones may lead to serious health complications, especially in older adults.

Osteoporosis can also limit mobility and activity, leading to isolation and depression. 

What causes osteoporosis?

The bone is living tissue that’s under constant reconstruction. Throughout your life, your body continuously makes new bone cells to replace old bone cells. As you get older, the production of new bone cells starts to slow down.

Osteoporosis develops when the breakdown of old bone cells outpaces the production of new bone cells. This condition most often occurs due to a calcium deficiency or hormonal changes. 

Your risk of developing osteoporosis increases as you get older. Women are at greater risk of developing this bone disease because they have smaller bones than men. Lifestyle choices and genetics may also influence bone health and strength and your risk of developing osteoporosis.

How do I know if I have osteoporosis?

You can’t feel your bones weakening and you may not realize you have osteoporosis until you break a bone. To diagnose osteoporosis, Rheumatology of Central Indiana performs a bone density test.

The low-level X-ray measures the mineral density in your bones to help diagnose osteoporosis or your risk of developing osteoporosis.

How is osteoporosis treated?

Rheumatology of Central Indiana customizes your osteoporosis treatment plan based on your risk of breaking a bone over the next 10 years. If your risk is low, your provider may recommend lifestyle changes to improve bone health and reduce the risk of fractures, such as:

• Adding calcium-rich foods to your diet
• Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements
• Engaging in bone-building exercises 
• Making changes at home to reduce your risk of falls

If your osteoporosis is severe, your provider may prescribe medications that reduce the rate of bone breakdown or speed up the rate of bone building. 

Your rheumatologist works closely with you to find the medication that provides the best results with the fewest side effects.

For patient-centered osteoporosis care, call Rheumatology of Central Indiana or book an appointment online today.