In osteoporosis patients, the bones lose calcium more quickly than they can create new bone. Thus bones become weaker and are more likely to fracture. The hip and vertebrae are particularly vulnerable and fractures in these areas can lead to serious disabilities.
Early Detection
Proper nutrition, exercise and healthy habits can help limit osteoporosis. Women are more at risk than men, due to their smaller, thinner bones and the loss of estrogen after menopause, which also contributes to bone loss. Special bone density tests are recommended, especially for postmenopausal women, to determine the condition of their bones. When bone density losses are evident, the physician can recommend steps that can slow down the deterioration of bone or medications that are now proving to reverse the condition in some cases.
Lifestyle Changes
Although lifestyle changes can make a difference in the onset of osteoporosis, it may not be able to reverse the condition once it's begun. However, it's important to avoid additional bone loss as much as possible. Factors that can limit the bone loss include avoiding caffeine, extra salt, excess drinking and smoking, One report in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" determined that animal proteins caused more calcium loss and when these were cut down, calcium loss was also diminished. Exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise such as walking, can help maintain the bones though it's also important to avoid injury. Getting vitamin D is important since it controls the absorption of calcium. People who get a few minutes of sunlight daily and eat a diet that supplies adequate calcium may not need supplements, but they can be helpful for others who do not get the recommended amount of 1,500 mg through their diet.
Medication
Several prescription medications are now available that will either limit further bone loss or actually reverse the process. The most commonly prescribed are a group of medications called bisphosphonates, which go by the brand names of Actonel, Boniva and Fosamax. These have been shown to be more effective than earlier treatments with estrogen and other such medications such as raloxifene, branded as Evista. Another reason many physicians are avoiding the hormone-related medications is their possibility of dangerous side effects such as clotting or cancer. An additional drug used to treat osteoporosis is parathyroid hormone, known as teriparatide and branded as Forteo. Current thinking is that this treatment can do more than protect the current bone, but actually rebuild bone to reverse the osteoporosis.
Tags: bone loss, bone density, calcium loss, important avoid, reverse condition