Home / Conditions & Treatments / Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Elderly person holding their lower back while reaching for a shelf, in a softly lit home setting. Emphasize fragility and caution.

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them brittle and more likely to break. It develops gradually and is often called a "silent disease" because many people don’t realize they have it until they suffer a fracture—commonly in the hip, spine, or wrist. Regular bone density screenings can help detect the condition early and reduce fracture risk.

  • Back pain, often due to a fractured or collapsed vertebra
  • Loss of height over time
  • A stooped posture
  • Fractures that occur more easily than expected
  • Lifestyle changes: Weight-bearing exercise, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol
  • Calcium and vitamin D supplements
  • Prescription medications: Bisphosphonates, hormone therapy, or newer agents like denosumab
  • Fall prevention strategies: Home safety modifications and balance training
  • Aging, especially in women after menopause
  • Low calcium or vitamin D intake
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking or excessive alcohol use
  • Certain medications (e.g., corticosteroids)

Healthcare Providers

Symptoms

  • Back pain, often due to a fractured or collapsed vertebra
  • Loss of height over time
  • A stooped posture
  • Fractures that occur more easily than expected

Causes

  • Aging, especially in women after menopause
  • Low calcium or vitamin D intake
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking or excessive alcohol use
  • Certain medications (e.g., corticosteroids)

Treatments

  • Lifestyle changes: Weight-bearing exercise, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol
  • Calcium and vitamin D supplements
  • Prescription medications: Bisphosphonates, hormone therapy, or newer agents like denosumab
  • Fall prevention strategies: Home safety modifications and balance training

Specialties That Treat This Condition

Related Conditions

No items found.
The BASS Doctors

Not sure where to start?

Request an appointment today and get a personalized treatment plan from our trusted BASS specialists.
Contact Us Today!