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Osteoporosis Specialist

Silverstein Medical

Primary Care Practice located in Havre De Grace, MD

Aging comes with enough surprises, and if you suffer from osteoporosis, even a minor bump or fall can mean an unexpected fracture. The best way to treat osteoporosis is to identify it as early as possible or to prevent it altogether, so it’s important, especially for women approaching menopause, to get regular check-ups. At Silverstein Medical, Louis Silverstein, MD, and his team are experts in recognizing early signs of bone density loss and in treatment for osteoporosis. Call the office in Havre de Grace, Maryland, today or request an appointment online.

Osteoporosis

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes your bones to lose density and become more brittle. Once it has progressed, osteoporosis can make your bones so weak that even a minor fall or even the stress of bending over can cause a fracture.

Bone is living tissue just like any other part of your body, and osteoporosis occurs when newly produced bone can’t keep up with how quickly bone is breaking down. Anyone can suffer from osteoporosis, but it most often affects women of European or Asian heritage, especially after menopause. Osteoporosis is very common, and with a combination of physical therapy, changes to your diet, and medication, you can slow the loss of bone tissue and strengthen what remains.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

In its early stages, bone loss is too gradual for you to notice any symptoms of osteoporosis. As the condition progresses, you may notice:

  • Back pain from cracked or fractured vertebrae
  • Loss of height
  • a hunch, or more stooped posture
  • A fracture that occurred more easily than normal

If you haven’t had any symptoms, it is still a good idea to talk to Dr. Silverstein at Silverstein Medical if you are postmenopausal or if you have a history of using corticosteroids for any length of time. If either of your parents has had a hip fracture, this can also be a sign you’re predisposed to bone density loss as you age.

What does treatment for osteoporosis involve?

At Silverstein Medical, treatment for osteoporosis will vary based on how likely you are to break a bone in the near future. For mild to moderate osteoporosis, a combination of exercise, dietary changes, and medications called bisphosphonates may be enough to restore strength to your bones and avoid injury. Getting more calcium and vitamin D can go a long way towards strengthening your bones.

Some people, especially post-menopausal women, also respond well to hormone therapy to restore bone density. More severe osteoporosis may require further medication, like denosumab or teriparatide. These are injected medications that stimulate bone density even more directly than bisphosphonates or hormone therapy, but denosumab requires injections every six months, while teriparatide is administered daily.

If you’re worried you may have osteoporosis, or if you have any questions, call Silverstein Medical today or make an appointment online.