Osteoporosis Education

Osteoporosis Education in Hoover and Birmingham, Serving Central Alabama

We all want to live healthy lives. This allows us to spend more time creating memories with family and friends and doing the things we love. However, the longer we live, the more we ask of our bodies. For those living with osteoporosis, this can make everyday life difficult and painful. Fortunately, Southlake Orthopaedics features an osteoporosis clinic that can offer helpful osteoporosis treatments so you can feel your best. Located in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL, and serving central Alabama, our team of medical professionals is here to provide you with extensive osteoporosis information.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the bones to become weak and brittle. The weakening of one’s bones may lead to fractures in the case of a fall or even mild stress on the bone. This condition can be especially challenging, as sufferers are generally older.

Because bones are living tissues, they are always breaking down and being replaced. However, osteoporosis creates a situation where the rate at which bone is breaking down is faster than it is being replaced. This results in bones growing weaker over time. What’s worse, a person with osteoporosis is unlikely to realize they have the disease because we don’t notice as our bones weaken. Osteoporosis often is diagnosed after someone breaks a bone.

What Are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?

While osteoporosis affects the bones, you are most likely to see its impact on the hips, wrists, and spine. It is impossible to feel one’s bones weakening, however, there are several signs of osteoporosis that you should look out for, including:

Back pain
Change in posture
Gradual loss of height
An easy bone break

Some of these symptoms might not be easy to recognize for the sufferer, which is why older people should take note when friends or family members notice changes in their height or posture.

What Are Risk Factors for Osteoporosis?

While more than 10 million Americans live with osteoporosis, another 44 million have low bone density – placing them at increased risk. The condition is more prominent in those over 50, and women are also much more likely to suffer from the disease, with nearly one in every two women over the age of 50 breaking a bone due to osteoporosis at some point. Postmenopausal women are at an even higher risk.

You may also be more likely to get the disease if you have a family history of it or if you have a smaller frame. Additionally, smoking or using tobacco products and taking certain medications can increase your risk.

Why Choose Southlake Orthopaedics?

At Southlake Orthopaedics, Dr. Chris A. Heck and osteoporosis specialist Lauren Bannon (PA-C) head our team. They will work with each patient to help create a personalized treatment plan. These plans help prevent fractures, promote healing, and break the brittleness cycle often associated with the disease. You can even listen to Dr. Heck with Steve Spencer on the Birmingham Medical News Podcast to learn more about his approach to osteoporosis.

Our team is full of board-certified physicians who can help with diagnosis, treatments, surgeries, and rehab to help you get back on your feet. We emphasize patient care and are committed to creating a relationship with everyone who comes through the door. This helps us build trust, which is key to any doctor-patient relationship. We even offer multi-level specialists who can work with you throughout the process.

Reach Out to Us Today for More Osteoporosis Information

If you’ve researched osteoporosis information and believe you are at risk or just want a professional opinion, turn to the medical specialists at Southlake Orthopaedics. We are in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL, and serve central Alabama, providing comprehensive care you can count on. We offer a wide range of orthopedic services. If you have any questions about osteoporosis or any of the other conditions we specialize in, contact us today.

Osteoporosis Education