Osteoporosis

Prima Medicine
Internal Medicine & Family Medicine located in Fairfax, VA, South Riding, VA & Merrifield, VA
As you age, your risk for osteoporosis increases. To protect your bone health and prevent fracture risks, Chethana Rao, MD, and the experienced medical team at Prima Medicine offer a variety of short-term and long-term treatments. At both the Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, offices, Dr. Rao can diagnose osteoporosis and recommend treatment to slow the progression of the disease. Learn more about treatments for osteoporosis today by calling the office nearest you or book an appointment conveniently online today.
Osteoporosis Q & A
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that affects the health of your bones. With age and due to underlying medical conditions like a hormone imbalance, your bones weaken. You can also develop osteoporosis due to poor nutrition and a lack of calcium in your diet.
Bone is always breaking down and new, healthy bone replaces it. When you have osteoporosis, your body can’t produce sufficient amounts of replacement bone, increasing your risk of fractures and other health complications.
What are other risk factors for osteoporosis?
In addition to age and inadequate nutrition, you could be at increased risk of osteoporosis due to:
- Arthritis
- Menopause
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid disorder
- Long-term steroid use
Your lifestyle can also raise your risk of osteoporosis, especially if you smoke, frequently drink alcohol, or lack daily physical activity.
What are the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis?
In the earliest stages of bone loss, you might not show signs that something is wrong. But as your bones continue to weaken and become more porous, you could experience symptoms like:
- Back pain
- Bent posture
- Loss of height
Most commonly, those with osteoporosis are prone to bone fractures, due to minor injuries or falls.
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
Based on your medical history, family history, and your symptoms, Dr. Rao will request a bone density test to confirm an osteoporosis diagnosis.
This test uses low-level X-rays to evaluate the mineral content of your bones. The testing process is painless and often focuses on the bones most commonly affected by osteoporosis, including:
- Hip
- Wrist
- Spine
Dr. Rao and her staff also perform a physical exam, testing your body for strength, mobility, and flexibility.
What treatments are available for osteoporosis?
Your custom treatment plan focuses on preventing bone fractures. Using the data from your bone density test, Dr. Rao can recommend the best course of treatment.
Osteoporosis medications are available to reduce your risk for bone fractures if your condition is advanced.
For some women, osteoporosis progresses quickly due to the loss of estrogen during and after menopause, the time when menstrual periods stop for good. In these cases, Dr. Rao will recommend treatment with hormone replacement therapy to slow the progression of the disease and protect your overall bone health.
Slow the progression of osteoporosis with the help of a custom treatment plan from Prima Medicine. You can schedule a consultation today, online or by phone, to learn more about treatments.
Services
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Arthritismore info
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Telemedicinemore info
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Immigration Physicalsmore info
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Nutrition & Weight Lossmore info
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Annual Physicalmore info
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Diabetesmore info
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Sleep Apneamore info
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High Blood Pressuremore info
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High Cholesterolmore info
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Acid Refluxmore info
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Anginamore info
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Congestive Heart Failuremore info
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Memory Lossmore info
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Behavioral Healthmore info
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Osteoporosismore info
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Pap Smearmore info
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Common Coldmore info
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Pre-diabetesmore info
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Constipation and Diarrheamore info
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Heart Attackmore info
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Thyroid Problemsmore info
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Ulcersmore info
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Chronic Care Managementmore info
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Remote Patient Monitoringmore info