Osteoporosis

About 10% of Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis. At Endocrine and Psychiatry Center in Houston and Katy, Texas, the team of multispecialty providers led by Rakesh Patel, DO, covers every facet of endocrine disease. The practice has the most advanced diagnostic equipment on site, and they offer comprehensive care to help you prevent bone loss and fractures. Schedule your appointment online or call the office nearest you for help today. 

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis occurs when bones grow brittle and weak. This decrease in bone strength and density can significantly increase the risk of bone fractures. Osteoporosis is about four times as common in women but can affect men too. 

What are the risk factors for osteoporosis?

Many risk factors can lead to osteoporosis, including:

• Older age
• Estrogen loss during menopause
• Low testosterone
• Small frame and low body weight
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Lack of calcium in diet
• Lack of vitamin D in diet
• Endocrine diseases
• Long-term use of corticosteroids
• Smoking

Fortunately, you can control many osteoporosis risk factors, including your diet and lifestyle. As for uncontrollable risk factors, you can take steps to diagnose osteoporosis early and prevent its progression. 

What are the signs of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis rarely causes symptoms until it weakens the bones so much that you become prone to experiencing a fracture. 

Vertebral compression fractures affect the bones in the spine, causing bone collapse that can lead to height shrinkage or a hump on the back.  

Other common sites of osteoporotic fracture are the hips and wrists. These fractures may happen during a fall that wouldn’t break a healthy bone, so it doesn’t necessarily have to involve severe trauma.

As with any bone fracture, you may experience severe pain with osteoporotic fractures.

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

The definitive method of osteoporosis diagnosis is a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, also called a bone scan. 

This test measures your bone density by checking the amount of radiation that passes through your bones. Generally, DEXA tests measure bone density in the wrist and hip.  

Who needs an osteoporosis bone scan?

Generally, healthy women with average osteoporosis risk factors need a DEXA scan at age 65. Men usually have the scan at age 70. However, you may need a DEXA scan earlier if you experience a bone fracture or have other osteoporosis risk factors. 

How is osteoporosis treated? 

Osteoporosis treatment can slow or stop bone thinning, in turn reducing your fracture risk. The Endocrine and Psychiatry team can help in multiple ways, including:

• Hormone replacement therapy to prevent bone loss
• Bisphosphonates or denosumab to slow bone loss
• Bone-building medications like teriparatide, abaloparatide, and romosozumab

The team can also help you maintain your bone density with lifestyle changes like regular exercise and a nutritious diet. 

Call Endocrine and Psychiatry Center or click the online scheduler to make your appointment today.