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Osteoporosis Specialist

Elk Medical

Saka Kazeem, MD

Endocrinology located in Brooklyn, NY

Osteoporosis is a common condition that affects older adults, especially women who have reached menopause. Saka Kazeem, MD, and his skilled team at Elk Medical can help you manage your osteoporosis so you can avoid bone injuries. Serving the community of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in New York City, Elk Medical can help you stay healthy and strong throughout your golden years. To schedule a consultation, call the office today or make an appointment online.

Osteoporosis Q & A

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis occurs when your body can’t regenerate bone tissue at a rate high enough to keep your bones healthy. Like all the tissues in your body, the cells of your bones are constantly breaking down and being replenished with new cells.

When you’re young, your body makes bone cells faster than it breaks them down, so your bones continue to become stronger. After 30, the rate of bone cell regeneration slows down. As you continue to age, you gradually lose bone mass that your body can’t replace.

When you have osteoporosis, bone tissue renewal has slowed down so much that your bones become porous, weak, and brittle. People with osteoporosis can injure their bones very easily, sometimes even ordinary movements or coughing can break bones.

What causes osteoporosis?

Both men and women can develop osteoporosis, but it’s most common in post-menopausal women because reduced levels of the hormone estrogen contribute to bone loss.

More things that contribute to osteoporosis include:

  • Low calcium intake
  • Long-term use of steroid medications
  • Celiac disease and other medical conditions
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol consumption

Thyroid disease and other disorders of the endocrine system can affect your body’s ability to use minerals like calcium and phosphorus, as well as vitamin D. This can lead to metabolic bone diseases, including osteoporosis.

How is osteoporosis treated?

Dr. Kazeem is a skilled endocrinologist with extensive experience in treating osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. He begins with a physical exam and diagnostic tests, including a bone density scan, to determine the cause and severity of your bone loss. Depending on your individual condition, Dr. Kazeem will recommend:

  • Nutritional and lifestyle counseling
  • Hormone therapy
  • Bone-building medications

Exercise, especially weight-bearing activities, helps keep your bones strong. The team at Elk Medical can provide you with exercise plans or refer you to an exercise specialist to keep you active and healthy. Quitting smoking, reducing your alcohol intake, and increasing your intake of calcium and vitamin D can also help you maintain bone mass.

Don’t wait until you suffer a bone injury to seek care for osteoporosis. For safe, effective treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kazeem at Elk Medical. Call the office today or request an appointment online.