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Osteoporosis

Questions to ask your doctor

If you've been told you have osteoporosis or a broken hip because of osteoporosis, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more.

Here are some questions that you might want to ask about osteoporosis.

How bad is my osteoporosis? Which of my bones are affected?
What's the best treatment for me? How does it work?
Does the treatment cause any side effects?
Can I help myself by changing what I eat? What sort of changes would help?
Can I help myself by getting some exercise? What sort of exercise would help?
Are there any vitamins or other things I can add to what I eat that might help my bones?
What else can I do to lower my chances of breaking a bone?
What will happen if I break another bone?
Am I doing anything that could be making my osteoporosis worse?
Will I be tested regularly to see how my bones are doing?
Should other members of my family be tested too?

You may have broken your hip. If so, here are some more questions that you might want to ask.

Will I need an operation?
How will the operation affect me? How quickly will I get better?
What kind of help or support will I need after the operation?
What if the treatment or operation doesn't work?

This information was last updated on Apr 21, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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