Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can weaken your bones, increasing your risk of fracture. Prevention and treatment are available under the care of dedicated nurse practitioner Melissa Prince, C-ANP, MSN. For residents in and around Scottsdale, Arizona, they rely on Melissa for osteoporosis management through telehealth. Call the office of Melissa Prince CANP, Endocrinology, or book a telehealth visit online in just a matter of moments.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to weak and brittle bone tissue. The term “osteoporosis” means porous bone, and affected bone tissue takes on an almost lacy or honeycomb-like appearance when viewed microscopically. 

The best way to understand osteoporosis is to consider how bone tissue usually develops. When you’re young, your bone tissue is in a constant state of renewal. Older bone tissue breaks down as new bone forms. Before age 20, new bone develops faster than older bone breaks down, and your bone mass is at peak levels. 

After age 30, your body begins to break down bone tissue faster than new bone forms. This reduces bone mass, and increases your risk of osteoporosis.

Is it possible to prevent osteoporosis?

Some causes of osteoporosis aren’t within your control. These factors include:

• Age
• Sex (with women having higher risk than men)
• Body frame size (with smaller people having higher risk)
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Thyroid disorders
• Reduced levels of testosterone or estrogen

There are other risk factors that you can control, and improving these areas can reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis. You can reduce your risk by:

• Having a diet low in calcium
• Having an active lifestyle
• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco use 
• Getting more vitamin D 

Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent osteoporosis, especially weight-bearing exercise, which helps build bone tissue and slow bone loss. 

What treatments can help with osteoporosis?

Some medications treat osteoporosis by reducing your risk of fracture. Drug therapy can increase bone density, but taking them as prescribed is vital to reduce the risk of side effects. Some medications also help your body build new bone tissue. 

When you’re ready to explore prevention or treatment for osteoporosis, call the office of Melissa Prince CANP, Endocrinology, to book a telehealth visit. Online scheduling is also available and is fast and easy.