Osteoporosis and Bone Health

As people age, they often experience some degree of bone loss. Osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, occurs when this bone loss leads to bone fragility and increases your risk of fractures.

Our team at UM Capital Region Health provides lifestyle-adjustment strategies to strengthen your bones and limit your risk of fractures. They also care for fractures you may have already had.

About Osteoporosis

Loss of bone mass begins around age 30. And although women, especially those past menopause, are more commonly affected, men can suffer from osteoporosis too.

The first indication of osteoporosis is often a fracture. Many of these fractures, like a hip fracture, can greatly impact a person's life.

However, sometimes fractures can be "silent" and go unrecognized like the vertebral compression fracture of the spine.

Treatment and Prevention

There is no cure for osteoporosis, but effective treatments and prevention plans include:

• Drug therapies
• Exercising five days a week for at least 30 minutes (weight-bearing exercises are best, including walking)
• Ensuring appropriate calcium and vitamin D, either through dietary changes or supplements

Ask your physician if you should be evaluated for osteoporosis.

Call 240-677-2224 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online.