Osteoporosis impacts approximately 10 million Americans. Osteoporosis is more common in women after menopause and is a condition treated by primary care doctors, endocrinologists, and rheumatologists. Risk factors for osteoporosis include increasing age, being of non-Hispanic white or Asian background, low weight, having parents who suffered a fracture, personal history of fracture, and smoking. Alcohol abuse, sedentary lifestyle, and low levels of vitamin D are other risk factors. Osteoporosis can be a side effect of some medications, such as glucocorticoids, heparin and certain cancer treatments.
Osteoporosis does not have noticeable symptoms. Most people discover they have osteoporosis after a bone break, even from a minor fall. Osteoporosis fractures are most common in the spine, hip and wrist. They may lead to chronic pain, disability or even death in some cases. If you have risk factors for osteoporosis, your doctor can order a bone mineral density (BMD) test to assess your bone health. A T-score of -2.5 or lower indicates osteoporosis. People with T-scores between -1.0 and -2.5 have low bone mass or osteopenia and may still require treatment depending on other risk factors.
Source:
American College of Rheumatology. Osteoporosis.
https://rheumatology.org/patients/osteoporosis
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This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment recommendations specific to your condition.
