Medicine for Osteoporosis Treatment
Conventional medicine, for the treatment of osteoporosis, has come under a lot of fire in the past decade and for good reason. Remember that drug companies make drugs for profit. That is not bad, but it must be kept in mind. Do not accept any doctors' recommendation as the only way to get or remain healthy.
What specialty type of doctor treats osteoporosis? The answer is a bit troubling; there is not a specialist in this field. Usually, healthcare providers include doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists and other health professional; however, there is no single type of healthcare provider or medical specialty that focuses solely on osteoporosis. Also, there is no certification program for health professionals who treat the disease.
Many Healthcare Providers Have the Knowledge
Over time, some healthcare providers in different medical specialties have gained the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and treat people with osteoporosis. These specialties include endocrinology, family practice, geriatrics, gynecology, internal medicine, orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and rheumatology. Not all healthcare providers within a given specialty, however, have expertise in osteoporosis. Therefore, you need to be careful when having problems the area of medicine and osteoporosis. What exactly are some things you can do to make sure you are getting the best possible healthcare available?
First, ask your primary doctor for the name of a healthcare provider that they may know that specializes in the treatment of osteoporosis if they don’t themselves. Your own doctor may actually be your best source of treatment, but then again, he or she may not be. Ask them. If you do not have a personal doctor or your healthcare provider is not able to help you, try contacting your nearest community hospital or medical center. Ask if there is a department or program that cares for patients with osteoporosis.
Also, call a local "compounding pharmacist" and ask for the names of doctors that use natural hormone remedies to treat the disease. Yes, there are doctors that use both conventional and complementary medicine to treat this. They are just harder to find.
Departments for treating individuals with osteoporosis vary from hospital to hospital. In some cases, the department of endocrinology or metabolic bone disease treats osteoporosis patients. In other cases it may be the department of rheumatology, orthopedics or gynecology. Some hospitals have a separate osteoporosis program or women's health clinic that treats osteoporosis patients. Not all hospitals, however, have departments or programs that focus on osteoporosis.
Because many hospitals now have physician referral services, you may want to ask whether your local hospital has a referral service. Let the referral service know that you are seeking a healthcare provider who has specialized knowledge in treating patients with osteoporosis. If you prefer a healthcare provider in a specific specialty, such as endocrinology, tell the referral service that you would like an endocrinologist who diagnoses and treats patients with osteoporosis. You also may want to check the Web sites of your local hospitals. Many hospitals list the doctors and healthcare providers that are on staff under a “Find a Doctor” section of the hospital’s Web site. Take a look at the information about each healthcare provider. Often, additional information is provided, such as the other clinical interests of the healthcare providers or their sub-specialties. In addition to bone health or osteoporosis, you may see the term “metabolic bone disease,” which includes the treatment of osteoporosis.
To help with understanding a bit more about medicine and osteoporosis, I have listed specific types of doctors and a brief description of each below:
Endocrinologists treat the endocrine system, which includes the glands and hormones that help control the body's metabolic activity. In addition to osteoporosis, conditions often treated by endocrinologists include diabetes, thyroid disorders and pituitary diseases.
Family physicians have a broad range of training that includes surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics. They place special emphasis on caring for an individual or family on a long-term, continuing basis.
Geriatricians are family health care providers or internists. They have additional training on the aging process and are able to evaluate and treat the common conditions and diseases that may occur among the elderly, including ongoing health issues, incontinence, falls and dementia.
Gynecologists diagnose and treat conditions of the female reproductive system and related disorders. They may serve as primary healthcare providers for women and follow their patients' reproductive health over time. Internists have training in overall care of general internal medicine. They diagnose and treat all diseases of the body.
Internists, however, do not perform surgery. Internists also provide long-term comprehensive care in the hospital and office, and they are often consultants to other specialists and can have expertise in many areas including cardiology, neurology and pulmonology.
Orthopedists are healthcare providers with training in the care of patients with musculoskeletal problems. They treat patients with congenital skeletal deformities, bone injuries and infections, and metabolic disturbances. Also called orthopedic surgeons, they are surgeons who operate to correct, fix or replace joints and limbs. Physiatrists are healthcare providers who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Physiatrists evaluate and treat patients with injuries, disabilities or pain arising from musculoskeletal, neurological or other system problems. Physiatrists focus on restoring the physical, psychological, social and occupational functioning of the individual.
Rheumatologists diagnose and treat diseases of the joints, muscles, bones and tendons, including arthritis and collagen diseases. The rheumatologist may work closely with other specialists such as orthopedists, physiatrists and physical therapists.
Osteoporosis Treatment: Find One The is Safe and Effective
