Osteoporosis

If you’re at risk of osteoporosis or experience frequent fractures, see the specialists at Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. in Tyler and Lindale, Texas. The highly trained providers diagnose and offer treatments for osteoporosis to keep your bones as healthy as possible. Schedule an evaluation by calling the nearest office or book one online today.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that causes weak, brittle bones. It increases your risk of fractures, even when completing simple daily tasks. Such fractures often occur in the spine, hip, or wrists. Treatment helps reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis or experiencing broken bones. See the Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. experts if you have risk factors.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

The hallmark symptoms of osteoporosis, which may only develop in the more advanced stages of the disease, include:

• Loss of height
• Back pain
• Stooped posture
• Frequent bone breaks

However, there often aren’t any symptoms in the early stages of osteoporosis.

What may increase my risk of osteoporosis?

The following factors may increase your risk of developing osteoporosis now or later in life:

• Aging
• Low calcium and vitamin D intake
• Lack of weight-bearing exercises
• Hormone imbalances
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Being a woman
• Small body frame size
• Thyroid disorders
• Overactive parathyroid or adrenal glands
• Eating disorders
• Past gastrointestinal surgery
• Tobacco use
• Being sedentary
• Excess alcohol use
• Certain medications
• Medical conditions

Celiac disease, cancer, kidney or liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other chronic conditions may also increase your chance of developing osteoporosis. 

Having good nutrition habits and regular exercise throughout the lifespan is one of the best ways to prevent osteoporosis. Take a multivitamin supplement containing calcium and vitamin D if your provider asks you to and eat well-balanced meals. 

How does my specialist diagnose osteoporosis?

To determine if you have osteoporosis and how severe it is, a Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. specialist uses an X-ray machine to see how dense your bones are. During the painless test, you lie on a padded table while a scanner passes over your body and assesses your hip, spine, and other specific bones.

How is osteoporosis treated?

The most common treatments for osteoporosis include making lifestyle changes, taking dietary supplements, trying hormone replacement therapy, and taking osteoporosis medications. If you have a high risk of fractures, your provider may ask you to modify habits that increase your risk of falls. 

Avoid smoking, limit or avoid alcohol, and follow up with your specialist regularly to monitor your bone health and ensure your osteoporosis treatment works effectively.

Schedule an evaluation at Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. by phone or book one online today to get screened or treated for osteoporosis.