Your bones reach their optimal strength and density in your late twenties. After that, you’re at risk of developing osteoporosis as bones gradually lose their mass and become fragile. At Utah Endocrinology Associates, Alireza Falahati, MD, FACE, offers state-of-the-art bone density screening and customized treatments to strengthen your bones before you suffer a fracture. To learn more about your risk for osteoporosis, call one of the offices in Salt Lake City, American Fork, or Ogden, Utah, or schedule an appointment online.
Osteoporosis occurs when your bones become fragile and weak due to the loss of bone mass. Throughout your lifetime, your bones continuously replace old and damaged bone with new bone. As you get older, however, bone loss starts to exceed new bone formation, putting you at risk for osteoporosis.
Though men and women are both at risk of osteoporosis, women face a very high risk in the years after menopause. When estrogen production slows at menopause, women rapidly start to lose bone.
Men and women increase their chance of developing osteoporosis if they have:
Lack of exercise and overconsumption of alcohol also raise your chances of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis usually doesn’t cause symptoms until the disease is advanced. Then your first symptom is a bone fracture, as weakened bones easily break from minimal trauma. You’re also susceptible to compression fractures that often occur in the spine.
You can prevent fractures by getting osteoporosis screening. This test reveals your bone strength, giving you the chance to start treatment before a fracture occurs.
The team at Utah Endocrinology Associates offers bone density screening in the office with state-of-the-art technology that uses dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The low-level X-rays used during the DXA scan provide early identification of osteoporosis by measuring the amount of minerals in your bones.
Dr. Falahati develops a comprehensive osteoporosis treatment plan that includes:
Your body needs an adequate supply of calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients to rebuild healthy bones. After a blood test to determine if you have nutritional deficiencies, Dr. Falahati recommends dietary changes and supplements as needed to restore bone density.
Weight-bearing exercise also improves bone strength, as the force of muscles against your bones triggers bone production. If you have osteoporosis, you shouldn’t place sudden or excessive strain on your bones, so it’s important to be screened and let Dr. Falahati recommend a safe exercise program.
Dr. Falahati may prescribe medication to strengthen your bones and lower your risk of fractures. Several types of medication are available, including bisphosphonates and hormone therapy.
If you need osteoporosis screening or treatment, call Utah Endocrinology Associates or schedule an appointment online.
