Osteoporosis Doctor in El Paso — Receive the Care You Deserve

Roughly 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and unfortunately many do not realize they have it as it slowly creeps up on the body. It is important to receive annual exams to ensure your bones remain healthy at any point in life.

At the Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists of El Paso, we specialize in the treatment of osteoporosis. Dr. Egbuonu, a certified osteoporosis doctor, provides diagnosis and services aimed at helping you combat the disease.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops when the body loses bone, produces minimal bone, or in some cases both circumstances. The definition of the word ‘osteoporosis’ is “porous bone.” Bones that have lost density become weak and are more prone to break.

How Can it be Prevented?

Your bone density reaches its peak at around the age of 25. Prior to your 25th birthday, it’s important that you would have received proper nutrition in order to build strong bones for the remainder of your life. This involves plenty of calcium, which is essential for bones. Once you’ve reached adulthood, to avoid osteoporosis, you should do the following:

Eat a nutritious diet. Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats into your diet.
Receive adequate calcium. Calcium-rich foods include milk and dairy products. You can also receive calcium from green vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and bok choy. Fruits such as oranges, apricots, and dried figs also contain calcium. To avoid calcium loss, stay away from excess amounts of caffeine and salt.
Stay active. An active lifestyle can help keep your bones healthy as physical activity plays an essential role in building and maintaining muscle strength. The International Osteoporosis Institute recommends aerobic, strength-training, and flexibility-training exercises. Depending on your physical health, you may need to alternate your exercises to low-intensity, which can still provide you with an adequate workout.

Recommended Daily Calcium Intakes

The Institute of Medicine of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences recommends the following daily calcium intakes:

What Are the Risk Factors?

If you meet one or more of the following, you may be at a higher risk for osteoporosis:

• 50 years old or older
• A woman
• A family history of osteoporosis
• Smoke or drink heavily
• Have an eating disorder
• Are thin or have a naturally small frame
• Take a medication that causes bone loss (always consult with a doctor about your history with medicine)