Bone Health Program

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Wooster Community Hospital and Bloomington Medical Services are happy to launch the Bone Health Program, an osteoporosis program serving Wooster and the nearby areas. Providers can refer patients who are at risk of osteoporosis or have osteoporosis symptoms to this program, which is led by endocrinologist Dr. Toni King at Bloomington Endocrinology.

Dr. King provides patient care for patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia.

Do I Have Osteoporosis

Many people are surprised to learn they have osteoporosis. This is because most patients are unaware they have this condition until it has advanced. This is why osteoporosis is sometimes called a “silent disease.”

Here are a few signs that you may have osteoporosis:

• Back pain, which, with osteoporosis, may be caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
• Loss of height over time
• Poor, stooped posture
• Bones that break easily

A bone density scan is the most exact way to know if you have bone loss due to osteoporosis.

How Can I Prevent Osteoporosis?

Many risk factors, such as age and family history, cannot be prevented. However, there are some factors well within your control. To reduce your overall risk and promote good bone health, maintain a healthy diet and get regular exercise. Additional ways to reduce risk include:

• Getting enough protein
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Consuming 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day if you are between ages 18-50, and 1,200 milligrams if you are a woman over 50 or a man over 70
• Getting enough vitamin D or taking vitamin D supplements, up to 4,000 IU per day
• Exercising and doing strength and balance exercises, such as weight lifting, walking, and tai chi

How Do You Treat Osteoporosis?

Wooster Community Hospital offers a bone densitometry scan, also known as a DXA scan, to help detect and measure bone loss caused by osteoporosis. This X-ray is safe, quick, and painless.

Diagnosing osteoporosis early is one of the best ways to protect yourself from injury and even death from this disease. The DXA scan will help your doctor decide the best treatment for your bone health.

Wooster Community Hospital offers a full range of osteoporosis services provided by skilled, compassionate staff, including state-of-the-art technology to diagnose osteoporosis and track changes in bone density. Our services include:

• Medications
• Dietary and nutrition counseling
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Fall prevention counseling
• Smoking cessation
• Routine screening and assessments

Bloomington Endocrinology

If you think you are at risk of osteoporosis or want more information, call the Bloomington Endocrinology office of Dr. Toni King at (330) 263-8470 today for an appointment.

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