Osteoporosis
Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare
Roughly half of all women will break a bone due to osteoporosis at some point in their lives. If you’d like to be proactive to safeguard the health of your bones as you age, call the highly qualified multidisciplinary obstetrics and gynecology team at Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare. The providers offer bone density screening with the DXA scan, which takes only 15 minutes. Plus, osteoporosis treatments can help you regain lost bone density. To find out more, call one of the locations in Fayetteville, Newnan, and Stockbridge, Georgia, or schedule a consultation online.
Osteoporosis Q & A
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis occurs when your body makes too little bone, loses too much bone, or both. As a result, your bones grow weak and brittle. Osteoporosis increases your risk of breaking a bone during a fall or, when osteoporosis is very advanced, from sneezing or minor bumps.
Osteoporosis means porous bone. Healthy bone looks like a honeycomb, but bone with osteoporosis contains holes that are much larger than in healthy bone. If you’ve broken a bone, and you’re age 50 or older, your provider typically recommends a bone density test.
What causes osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis may develop for a broad array of reasons. Some of the causes are medical, while others are due to taking medications that cause bone loss as a side effect. Common causes include:
- Menopause
- Low calcium levels
- Cancer and cancer treatments like chemotherapy
- Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
Steroids and some type 2 diabetes medications also increase your risk for osteoporosis.
How is osteoporosis detected?
Your provider at Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare typically recommends a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, also known as a DXA scan. This test is not only painless, it’s more accurate than a standard X-ray and emits less radiation. It works by determining levels of bone density in your arms, hips, and other areas.
The scan produces a reading, which your providers compares to the bone density levels of people your age, body size, and race. This comparison allows your provider to determine whether you have osteoporosis. You’ll find out your results at your appointment, so you can get started on a treatment plan if needed.
How is osteoporosis treated?
Your provider prescribes medication to help prevent bone loss and activate the growth of new bone. These medicines may include:
- Fosamax
- Actonel
- Evista
- Boneva
- Forteo
Your provider typically advises you to begin supplements, if you’re not already taking them, to counteract calcium deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, or the loss of hormones due to menopause.
If you’re concerned about osteoporosis, take charge of your health today by calling or booking a consultation online with Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare.
