- Patient Resources
- Services
Proudly Part of Privia Health
Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that causes your bones to become brittle and weak, increasing your risk of fractures. It can affect all adults, especially older adults, but it occurs more frequently in women. Early osteoporosis screening and treatment helps keep your bones strong.
While there aren’t any symptoms in the early stages of osteoporosis, common signs and symptoms associated with more advanced stages of bone loss include:
See Element Endocrinology and Diabetes for screening if you’re at risk of developing osteoporosis. Risk factors include older age, being female, taking certain medicines, and having any of the following: a family history of osteoporosis, small body frame size, hormone imbalance, eating disorders, and poor dietary habits.
To determine if you have osteoporosis or low bone density, Dr. Fiacco discusses your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms if you have any. He completes a physical examination and might recommend you undergo blood tests to assess hormone levels.
Dr. Fiacco also completes a bone density scan using a specialized X-ray machine to evaluate the mineral density of your bones. It’s a painless procedure in which you lie down on a comfortable table as a scanner passes over your body.
If you have osteoporosis, your endocrinologist might recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Making certain lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of breaking bones. Examples include avoiding excessive alcohol, not smoking, and taking precautions to lower your risk of falling.
Taking medications can reduce your risk of further bone loss and bone fractures or build up your bones. Dr. Fiacco personalizes each medication regimen based on the severity of your condition.
If your osteoporosis is linked with hormone imbalance, your specialist might recommend you undergo hormone replacement therapy to increase estrogen or testosterone levels within your body.
Don’t let osteoporosis go undetected and untreated, increasing your risk of bone fractures. Schedule an osteoporosis screening with Element Endocrinology and Diabetes by phone today.