London Osteoporosis Specialist Clinic
Those that suffer from osteoporosis know all too well how careful they need to be to prevent fractures and breaks to their bones. However, it is quite shocking to know that many cases of osteoporosis can go undiagnosed for many years.
The problem with osteoporosis is that it slowly develops over several years and most people won’t know they suffer with it until they have a fall or an accident where they bump into something and it causes a bone fracture. A visit to their GP for a check-up or for some pain relief may result in them discovering that the condition is present.
Osteoporosis can cause bone fractures that can vary in severity but are most noticeable when they involve the hips, wrist and spine. Sometimes a bone can fracture from something as seemingly innocuous as a sneeze!
Going private for your diagnosis and treatment can be sensible
Because the NHS is consistently under pressure with long waiting lists for many patients waiting for treatment, it makes a lot of sense to seek out a private osteoporosis specialist, such as Dr Naveen Bhadauria who is a Consultant Rheumatologist currently practising from the prestigious, world-renowned clinic rooms of Spire London East, BMI Cavell and King’s Oak.
While we in the UK are extremely lucky to have the medical help and support of the NHS, there is no doubt that the service is under strain and seeking out a private alternative could be a better option for osteoporosis sufferers.
Also, by seeking treatment for your osteoporosis through Dr Bhadauria at one of the clinics that are closest to where you live or work, you will be helping to reduce NHS waiting lists for those who cannot afford private treatment.
London osteoporosis clinic benefits
By seeking out the help of Dr Bhadauria at one of his clinics, you can get a quicker diagnosis and faster treatment of your osteoporosis. One of the biggest downsides of waiting for NHS treatment can be an average wait of 18 weeks or more before seeing a specialist.
By booking a consultation with Dr Bhadauria, you will be diagnosed and treated much quicker. But on top of this, you will also be able to access the very latest innovative healthcare treatments and techniques that may not be available to you through the NHS.
This means that you will be able to have a much more effective treatment that is personalised to meet your individual needs. It can also mean you can manage your condition much quicker and ensure your comfort much sooner.
Personalised treatment and care
When going through traditional treatments for osteoporosis with the NHS, it is not unusual for you to see a different set of doctors or nurses each time you need to attend an appointment. But when under the care of Dr Bhadauria, you will see the same familiar, friendly faces each time you need to see us.
It can be very reassuring to see the same care team at each visit and means that we will be completely up to speed with your individual case and treatment plan.
You can find out more about our osteoporosis treatments, or if you have any questions that you would like to ask Dr Bhadauria or his specialist team, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Long term management of osteoporosis
Once you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you will want to minimise your risk of hip fractures, wrist fractures and spinal fractures. Working with Dr Bhadauria and his team, you will be well taken care of for your long term osteoporosis management.
As well as some lifestyle guidance where our team can advise you of some simple changes you can make to your home and environment to reduce your risk of trips, bumps, slips and falls, you will also receive ongoing medical care based on the results of your DEXA scan and other diagnostic results.
Your treatment plan will depend on many factors such as your age, sex and medical record. One of the most effective medications that are prescribed to treat osteoporosis is called Bisphosphonates. These medications work to slow the rate of progression of osteoporosis, and you may be given Bisphosphonates in the form of injections or tablets.
Depending on your diagnosis, you may benefit from supplementing your diet with Vitamin D and calcium to help bone strength and healthy new bone growth. You may also be prescribed hormonal treatments that can help slow your progression and boost the production of new bone cells.
Should you suffer a bone fracture, our team will be able to aid in your recovery with the appropriate treatment, such as painkillers, Tens machine treatments and home recovery advice. While you are recovering from a fracture, you will need to continue your ongoing treatment plan to help reduce further fracture risks.
FAQ
What is the difference between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis?
Osteoporosis is the term used to describe a thinning of bones. This means the bone density and quality has decreased leaving bones weak and brittle and at more risk of fractures and breaks during falls and minor accidents.
There is no noticable physical symptoms of osteoporosis, so many patients are unaware they have the condition until a fracture or break occurs.
Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints. People will feel the symptoms of osteoarthritis and it presents itself with pain, stiffness and swelling of joints such as the hips, knees, spine, wrists and hands.
How to live with osteoporosis of the spine?
There are measures you can take to alleviate your joint pain and help to maintain your bone density, even in your spine. The level of pain and stiffness experienced differes between individuals so there is not once-size-fits-all solution.
However, you can get a personalised treatment programme that is perfect for you from Dr Bhadauria to help manage your condition and live as pain-free as possible.
Treatments can include steroid joint injections that include anti-inflammatory and pain-killing medication to help reduce the pain and swelling. Your treatment package may also include mental health and lifestyle boosting activities such as gentle spine exercises, physiotherapy, dietary advice, meditation and relaxation.
What does osteoporosis pain feel like?
Until you experience a fracture or a broken bone from having osteoporosis, you may not be aware you have the condition. However, while the condition is developing you may notice signs and symptoms that could be a sign of osteoporosis.
Early-stage osteoporosis symptoms can include receding gums, weakening grip strength and brittle fingernails. Signs and symptoms of later-stage osteoporosis can be more noticable and include loss of height from your spine compressing, a bone fracture or break from a minor fall, strong sneeze or cough, or stepping down from a curb, or climbing out of the bath.
What not to eat if you have osteoporosis?
Doctors generally recommend you avoid sugar-laden fizzy drinks mainly because they contain phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid is known to increase the level of calcium excretion from your bones into your urine, which is bad news for those with osteoporosis.
It is also recommended that caffeine is avoided as much as you can, which can be difficult if you have been a life-long coffee lover. Caffeine also leaches calcium from the bones which affects their strength. Doctors recommend switching to tea, which although still contains caffeine, is much lower in tea and can contain natural compounds that can help to protect bone health.
Don’t avoid eating protein! It is a common myth that animal protein is problematic for bones, but in fact quite the opposite is true. Our bones are made from mostly protein and not calcium as most people believe. Animal protein is a good source of food for your bones as it provides a steady stream of dietary amino acids, which are the building blocks of our bones, muscles and tendons.