Expert Videos

David Karpf, MD, of the Stanford University School of Medicine, explains what osteoporosis is, how it develops, and why it happens at the age it typically occurs. He also discusses how hormone changes, including at menopause for women, and natural bone turnover play a role in causing osteoporosis in both men and women.

Osteoporosis is sometimes called a "silent disease". Dr. David Karpf of Stanford University describes how osteoporosis may not cause any symptoms until it is advanced, and notes two signs of possible osteoporosis that may show up before an osteoporotic fracture happens.

Women's health expert Dr. Risa Kagan, MD, describes osteopenia, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia, which is mineral-poor bone. In osteopenia and osteoporosis, changes in hormones and bone development cause bone weakening and eventually thin, brittle bones.

Risa Kagan, MD, FACOG, of the University of California, San Francisco, discusses who is at risk for primary osteoporosis, which develops on its own, and secondary osteoporosis, which is caused by factors including medicines and other health conditions. Gender differences, lifestyle factors, certain medical conditions, and events in childhood and young adulthood can influence the development of peak bone mass and in turn, the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Dr. Risa Kagan of the University of California, San Francisco, describes the role of calcium, vitamin D, certain medicines, and physical activity in protecting bone health and preventing osteoporosis. She also comments on the risks of medicines for osteoporosis and the benefits of supporting the whole person for optimal bone health.

Risa Kagan, MD, an expert on women's health from the University of California, San Francisco, explains the role of the hormone estrogen in maintaining bone health, bone density, and bone strength. She describes when bone loss begins, how quickly it can progress around the menopausal transition, and what the consequences may be of losing up to 20 percent of bone mass during this period. She also discusses how bone loss may develop in men and the role of aging.

David Karpf, MD, of Stanford University discusses how osteoporosis, or bone loss, can affect men. He explains the role of testosterone in fractures, how the different causes of osteoporosis in men and women can lead to different outcomes, and other medical conditions that can  make men vulnerable to losing bone mass.

Dr. David Karpf of Stanford University describes how taking certain medications can increase bone loss. He discusses the role of steroids, blood thinners, ulcer medications, thyroid hormone, and medicines used in breast and prostate cancer treatment in raising the risk of osteoporosis. Dr. Karpf also touches on the osteoporosis risks of having a medical condition that causes the body to lose calcium regularly.

David Karpf, MD, explains that osteoporosis is a lifelong chronic condition that can be managed effectively. He describes osteoporosis treatments that can reduce the risk of fractures, including those that slow the rate at which the body reabsorbs bone. He also discusses how lifestyle changes to prevent falls can lower the risk of breaking a bone.