Osteoporosis

Millions of people in the United States have osteoporosis or are at risk of getting the bone disease. Most people don’t know they have it until they break a bone. At Medical Compass MD in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, in New York City, and Setauket, New York, on Long Island, David Dunaief, MD, takes a lifestyle approach to osteoporosis. The integrative medicine physician uses a whole-food, plant-based diet along with exercise to improve bone health and reduce your need for osteoporosis medications. To find out more, call the office nearest you or request an appointment online today.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes weak, brittle bones susceptible to fractures. Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but it’s more common in older adults.

Bone is living tissue, and it’s constantly breaking down and rebuilding. As you get older, the rate of bone rebuilding slows down. You develop osteoporosis when the rebuilding can’t keep up with the breakdowns.

With osteoporosis, the bones are so weak that mild stress from a cough or an awkward step may lead to a fracture. Osteoporosis doesn’t cause symptoms, and you may not know you have the bone disease until a bone breaks. 

What tests diagnose osteoporosis?

A bone density test also called a DEXA (dual-energy X-ray) scan, diagnoses osteoporosis. This test uses low-level X-rays to measure the mineral density in your hip bones and spine. 

The bone density test is quick and painless. If you have concerns about bone health, you should talk to your primary care provider about a bone density test.

Treatment for osteoporosis depends on your risk of breaking a bone over the next 10 years. If your risk is high, then your primary care provider may prescribe medication to improve bone health. 

Dr. Dunaief takes an integrative medicine approach to osteoporosis, combining conventional treatments with lifestyle modifications to strengthen weak bones.

What can I expect during an osteoporosis consultation?

You can expect a thorough history and physical during your osteoporosis consultation at Medical Compass MD. Dr. Dunaief reviews your medical history, checks your body composition using a body scale analysis tool, and reviews lab work.

He performs a physical exam and asks about your concerns and goals. Dr. Dunaief also requests additional labs to measure inflammatory factors and nutrient levels. 

What are some treatments for osteoporosis?

Dr. Dunaief takes an individualized approach to care and customizes your osteoporosis treatment plan based on your lifestyle, health, and lab results. His goal is to use lifestyle modifications to improve bone health and get you off your medications.

Dr. Dunaief has had significant success with the low inflammatory foods every day (LIFE) diet and exercise in improving osteoporosis. The LIFE diet is a nutrient-dense, plant-based diet using whole foods.

To find out more about osteoporosis care at Medical Compass MD, call the office nearest you or request an appointment online with Dr. Dunaief today.