Osteoporosis Specialist

Recent studies show that 54 million Americans age 50 and over are affected by osteoporosis and low bone mass. Whether you’d like to learn how to prevent osteoporosis or you need treatment for brittle bones, you can count on the expertise of Kiren Sahni, DO, FACR, at Sahni Rheumatology & Therapy.

The team has treated many patients with osteoporosis, creating a lifestyle and medication plan that’s customized to meet their needs. To schedule an appointment, call the office in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis occurs when your bones become weak and brittle because they lose mass and density.

Throughout your adult life, your bones stay healthy by continuously discarding old or damaged bone and replacing it with new bone.

Around middle age, however, everyone starts to lose bone faster than it’s replaced with new bone. As a result, women and men can develop osteoporosis.

What increases your risk for osteoporosis?

Natural bone loss usually progresses at a slow pace. The rate accelerates and raises your risk for developing osteoporosis if you meet any of the following:

  • Low levels of vitamin D

  • Low levels of calcium

  • Lack of weight-bearing exercise

  • Long-term use of corticosteroids

  • Low levels of estrogen or testosterone

  • Thyroid hormone imbalance

  • Excessive alcohol consumption

Women are especially vulnerable in the first few years after menopause when loss of estrogen leads to rapid bone loss.

Several health conditions can also lead to osteoporosis, including hyperthyroidism, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver or kidney disease.

What symptoms may develop due to osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis seldom causes symptoms. You can have the disease for years and never know you have a problem unless you get a bone scan.

For most patients, the first symptom appears when they fracture a brittle bone. Untreated osteoporosis makes your bones so weak that you can suffer a fracture from a mild fall or a simple activity that wouldn’t normally hurt healthy bones.

Osteoporosis also causes spinal compression fractures. A compression fracture occurs when a weakened vertebra collapses because it can’t continue to support your weight or movement.

When two or more neighboring vertebrae collapse, you may develop a rounded appearance in your upper back.

How is osteoporosis treated?

There are several ways to treat osteoporosis. Your doctor at Sahni Rheumatology & Therapy develops a comprehensive treatment plan for you that includes:

Nutrition
Getting the right amount of vitamin D and calcium is essential for healthy bones, but they’re not the only nutrients you need to restore and maintain bone strength.

The team at Sahni Rheumatology & Therapy can help with dietary recommendations. They may also prescribe supplements to quickly restore nutrient deficiencies.

Exercise
Engaging in weight-bearing exercise is an important part of treating or preventing osteoporosis. The force of muscles pulling against bones stimulates new bone production.

Medication
Several types of medications are available to treat osteoporosis. Your provider at Sahni Rheumatology & Therapy prescribes the one that’s best for your individual health needs.

For guidance on how to prevent brittle bones or to receive exceptional care for osteoporosis, call Sahni Rheumatology & Therapy.