Osteoporosis is known as porous bones. “Osteo” refers to bone, and “porosis” refers to porous.
It is a condition where your bones become extremely porous that results in more fragile and weakened bones.
Osteoporosis treatment can help prevent or slow down the growth of bone loss or bone thinning [Preventive measures for osteoporosis].
Bone thinning is a natural process that occurs as you age. Mostly it occurs in women, as the estrogen levels decreases after menopause stage. However, sometimes, it occurs even at very young age.
The factors that lead to this condition may be a combination of hereditary, hormonal imbalance, age-related, food and lifestyle changes.
It gradually affects each and every bone in your body that may result in fractures. The most common places where these fractures occur are the back, spine, hips, and wrists. It is estimated that every year, in the U.S., about 1.5 million fractures takes place due to osteoporosis.
For osteoporosis treatment, your doctor will consider the factors such as your age, general health condition, and past medical history, bone density, forbearance for medications, therapies and procedures, and personal preference.
With osteoporosis treatment, you can decrease the rate of bone loss; increase bone density; lessen the bone fractures rate; reduce the pain due to fractures; increase your capability to function physically.
Even though there is no cure for osteoporosis there are several different medications available for osteoporosis treatment.
Remember that to gain full benefits of these medications you should follow the course constantly. Bone loss resumes once you stop using medicines.
Calcium is very essential for maintaining healthy bones. So, take calcium either through your diet or using supplements. Intake of calcium should be 1.2gm-1.5gm per day.
Calcium levels can be increased with calcium carbonate and calcium citrates, as they help absorb more calcium into the body.
Increasing calcium levels alone cannot improve bone density instead you increase intake of Vitamin D for bone strength and for calcium absorption into the body.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using drugs increases your estrogen and progesterone levels in the body, which usually decreases after menopause stage. It is an approved osteoporosis treatment option.
Bisphosphonate is a group of drugs that are rich in minerals, particularly calcium, to the bones. It helps reduce break down of bones and increases bone density. Some of these drugs should be taken daily while others weekly or monthly.
Calcitonin is a hormone in the body that decelerates the break down of bones. The calcitonin supplements come in the form of injection or nasal spray. You can also get this hormone through natural sources. It is an approved osteoporosis treatment option.
Teriparatide is an approved osteoporosis treatment option. It is the first drug for osteoporosis. It is a natural hormone (known as parathyroid hormone) that controls your body’s calcium levels.
It helps in bone formation and increases bone density. It usually comes in the form of daily injections.
Raloxifene is also a standard osteoporosis treatment option that is taken orally. It should be avoided if you are using HRT. It acts like estrogen in the bones without making a general estrogen effect.
