Osteoporosis affects approximately 30% of postmenopausal women in the United States, but men, teens, and children can develop the disease, too. If you’re at risk for osteoporosis and its potentially debilitating consequences — such as hip or spine fractures — Dr. Kermani can suggest lifestyle modifications, bone-strengthening supplements, and medications. Men and women in the Las Vegas and Summerlin area at risk for osteoporosis can schedule a consultation with Dr. Kermani via phone.
Osteoporosis causes your bones to degrade and become brittle and weak. Bones are living tissue that must continually produce healthy, new bone cells to replace the old or dead cells eliminated from the body. Contrary to osteoarthritis, patients with osteoporosis experience no pain.
Our bones are at their densest and strongest at about age 20. Women start losing bone density as early as their late 20’s at which point bone mass begins to decrease. When you have osteoporosis, your body’s production of new bone cells is so slow that it can’t keep up with the loss of old cells, which makes your bones porous and fragile.
Untreated osteoporosis can lead to severe complications:
Osteoporosis affects men and women across all ethnic backgrounds and ages. However, you’re at higher risk for osteoporosis when you’re:
The following conditions or habits can increase your risk for osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis usually doesn’t have symptoms, other than lost height, pain, or a curved spine. When you’re over age 50, Dr. Kermani recommends a bone-density test to determine if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia (a precursor condition).
Depending on the results of your bone-density tests, Dr. Kermani may recommend:
If you’re over age 50, have symptoms of osteoporosis, or have a family history of the disease, contact Dr. Kermani and his caring staff for a consultation and a bone-density test. You can reach the office by phone.