OSTEOPOROSIS
OVERVIEW
Does someone in your family have osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) or a history of hip or vertebral fracture? According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, one in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Osteoporosis can develop when the natural microscopic remodeling process inside bones, which normally consists of constant extraction and replacement of calcium, is disrupted.

Typical symptoms include:
A person is often not aware that he or she has osteoporosis until a fracture occurs. But there are occasionally symptoms of the disorder. They could include:
Diagnostic Testing:
It is crucial to perform a careful interview and physical exam, followed by a state-of-the-art screening test (“DEXA” test), which Arise Infusion Therapy Services has on-site for your convenience. This will clarify if your bones are healthy, or if you have osteopenia (a milder form of bone thinning) or osteoporosis. Also, simple blood tests can make sure your calcium and vitamin D levels are normal.
Treatment:
In the recent past, most women and many men with low bone density were all treated with the same kind of medicines. Now, we can treat each person individually. The first step would be to determine your risk of breaking a bone by comparing your DEXA results with established national statistics. If you have a higher risk, you should discuss with your physician and understand all three categories of medications that are now available. The decision of which medication is best for you should be determined, along with other adjunctive treatments such as supplements, diet and exercise.