Treatment FAQ

what is best treatment for osteoporosis

by Ms. Oma Mohr MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medication

Aug 13, 2020 · Bisphosphonates are usually the first choice for osteoporosis treatment. These include: Alendronate (Fosamax), a weekly pill. Risedronate (Actonel), a weekly or monthly pill. Ibandronate (Boniva), a monthly pill or quarterly intravenous (IV) infusion. Zoledronic acid (Reclast), an annual IV infusion.

Nutrition

An estrogen agonist/antagonist, also known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), and tissue-selective estrogen complex (TSEC), are both approved to treat and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. They are not estrogen, but they have estrogen-like effects on some tissues and estrogen-blocking effects on other tissues.

What are some natural remedies for osteoporosis?

Nov 04, 2019 · Increasing your bone density is one of the best and safest treatments for osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises, getting plenty of calcium in your diet, and keeping your weight within a healthy range can all help you develop greater peak bone mass when you’re young.

How long should you take a bisphosphonate for osteoporosis?

12 rows · Conjugated Estrogens/Bazedoxifen. A combination of conjugated estrogens with bazedoxifene (Duavee, ...

What foods are in osteoporosis?

Nov 02, 2017 · The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved raloxifene (brand name Evista) to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Although raloxifene has been shown to reduce the risk of vertebral (spinal) fracture, it has no impact on hip or wrist fractures. The drug is also associated with serious risks, including life-threatening blood clots.

Which is better for osteoporosis?

8 rows · Sep 12, 2021 · Raloxifene (Evista), a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), is perhaps best known for its ...

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What is the safest and most effective treatment for osteoporosis?

Bisphosphonates are usually the first choice for osteoporosis treatment. These include: Alendronate (Fosamax), a weekly pill. Risedronate (Actonel), a weekly or monthly pill.

What is the most commonly prescribed drug for osteoporosis?

Bisphosphonates: Most Commonly Prescribed For OsteoporosisAlendronate (Fosamax, Binosto): may be taken orally daily or a weekly tablet is also available.Ibandronate (Boniva): can be taken orally monthly or given by intravenous injection every three months.More items...•Feb 11, 2021

What is the new drug for osteoporosis?

Romosozumab (Evenity). This is the newest bone-building medication to treat osteoporosis. It is given as an injection every month at your doctor's office and is limited to one year of treatment.Aug 21, 2021

What is the fastest way to increase bone density?

10 Natural Ways to Build Healthy BonesEat Lots of Vegetables. ... Perform Strength Training and Weight-Bearing Exercises. ... Consume Enough Protein. ... Eat High-Calcium Foods Throughout the Day. ... Get Plenty of Vitamin D and Vitamin K. ... Avoid Very Low-Calorie Diets. ... Consider Taking a Collagen Supplement. ... Maintain a Stable, Healthy Weight.More items...•Jan 18, 2017

What is the safest osteoporosis drug 2020?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Evenity (romosozumab-aqqg) to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of breaking a bone (fracture).Apr 9, 2019

What is the safest medication to take for osteoporosis?

The bottom line Fosamax, Prolia, and Boniva are all effective osteoporosis treatments since each one can help lower your risk of fractures. Each also comes with its own risk of side effects.Jan 29, 2021

Is Forteo or Prolia better?

One of the only studies available comparing Forteo with Prolia did show some slight differences between the two. Forteo was better at preventing spinal bone loss, while Prolia was better at preventing bone loss at the hip. These differences could lead to your provider choosing one over the other.Jan 15, 2021

Which is better Fosamax or Prolia?

Fosamax (alendronate) is a first-choice treatment for osteoporosis, but taking it can be a hassle. Prevents bone loss. Prolia (Denosumab) is an effective and convenient treatment for osteoporosis if other options haven't worked or aren't appropriate for you.

What is the best kind of doctor to treat osteoporosis?

Rheumatologists treat patients with age-related bone diseases. They can diagnose and treat osteoporosis. Endocrinologists, who see patients with hormone-related issues, also manage the treatment of metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis. Orthopedic surgeons may fix fractures.

Which fruit is best for bones?

FruitsBlackberries.Blueberries.Figs, dried, uncooked.Grapes.Kiwi fruit, fresh, raw.Mulberries.Plums, dried (prunes)Pomegranate juice.More items...•Jul 28, 2021

What is the alternative to taking Prolia?

alendronate (Fosamax) risedronate (Actonel) ibandronate (Boniva) zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa)

What are 3 bone strengthening activities?

Examples of bone-strengthening activities suitable for young people include:dance.aerobics.weight-training.water-based activities.running.sports such as gymnastics, football, netball, hockey, badminton and tennis.skipping with a rope.martial arts.

Which Medications Are Commonly Used For Osteoporosis Treatment?

Bisphosphonates are the most common medications prescribed for osteoporosis treatment. These include: 1. Alendronate (Fosamax) 2. Risedronate (Acto...

How Do Most Osteoporosis Medications Work?

With the exception of teriparatide, osteoporosis medications slow bone breakdown. Healthy bones continuously break down and rebuild.As you age — es...

How Do You Know If You're Taking The Right bisphosphonate?

Drugs in the bisphosphonate class are more alike than they are different. They all help maintain bone density. And, all bisphosphonates have been s...

When Might Other Osteoporosis Medications Be used?

Drugs such as denosumab, teriparatide and abaloparatide can be used by anyone with osteoporosis, but are more likely to be recommended for people w...

What Are Common Side Effects of Bisphosphonate pills?

Bisphosphonate pills aren't absorbed well in the stomach. The main side effects of bisphosphonate pills are stomach upset and heartburn. Generic fo...

Do Intravenous Bisphosphonates Have Advantages Over The Pill form?

Infused forms of bisphosphonates don't cause stomach upset. And it may be easier for some women to schedule a quarterly or yearly infusion than to...

Can Bisphosphonates Hurt Your Bones?

Long-term bisphosphonate therapy has been linked to a rare problem in which the upper thighbone cracks and may break. This injury, known as atypica...

How Long Should You Take A Bisphosphonate For Osteoporosis Treatment?

There's some uncertainty about how long to take bisphosphonates because of a lack of long-term studies. Bisphosphonates have been shown to be safe...

What Happens If You Break A Bone While Taking An Osteoporosis medication?

Osteoporosis medications lower the chance of fracture, but they don't eliminate all risk of breaking a bone. If you have a fracture while on treatm...

Can Medication Alone Successfully Treat Osteoporosis?

Don't rely entirely on medication as the only treatment for your osteoporosis. These practices also are important: 1. Exercise. Weight-bearing phys...

What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?

If you can't tolerate the more common treatments for osteoporosis — or if they don't work well enough — your doctor might suggest trying: Teriparatide (Forteo). This powerful drug is similar to parathyroid hormone and stimulates new bone growth. It's given by daily injection under the skin.

How to reduce the risk of osteoporosis?

Smoking increases rates of bone loss and the chance of fracture. Avoid excessive alcohol. Consuming more than two alcoholic drinks a day might decrease bone formation.

What are the side effects of bisphosphonates?

Examples include: Side effects include nausea, abdominal pain and heartburn-like symptoms. These are less likely to occur if the medicine is taken properly.

Can testosterone be used for osteoporosis?

Testosterone replacement therapy can help improve symptoms of low testosterone, but osteoporosis medications have been better studied in men to treat osteoporosis and thus are recommended alone or in addition to testosterone.

What is the drug used for osteoporosis?

It's given by daily injection under the skin. After two years of treatment with teriparatide, another osteoporosis drug is taken to maintain the new bone growth. Abaloparatide (Tymlos) is another drug similar to parathyroid hormone.

What supplements can help with osteoporosis?

Alternative medicine. There is limited evidence that certain supplements, such as vitamin K-2 and soy, can help lower fracture risk in osteoporosis, but more studies are needed to prove benefits and determine risks.

How to measure bone density?

Your bone density can be measured by a machine that uses low levels of X-rays to determine the proportion of mineral in your bones. During this painless test, you lie on a padded table as a scanner passes over your body. In most cases, only a few bones are checked — usually in the hip and spine.

What is the most common treatment for osteoporosis?

The most common class of osteoporosis drugs is bisphosphonates, which are antiresorptive chemicals designed to reduce bone loss. Essentially, bisphosphonate therapy slows the rate at which bone cells break down and speeds up the regeneration of new cells.

Why is osteoporosis a problem?

Essentially, osteoporosis is caused by your body failing to produce new bone tissue fast enough to replace the older bone cells as they break down. Low peak bone density as a young adult is one of the main causes of osteoporosis as an adult.

What is the meaning of osteoporosis?

The literal meaning of osteoporosis is “porous bone.”. Beneath the hard outer layer of your bones is softer spongy tissue. Bones are incredibly strong, but for their size and the amount of pressure put on them over a lifetime, they’re surprisingly lightweight.

How many women are affected by osteoporosis?

It’s a progressive disease and affects about 1 in 3 women aged 50 years and over. Bones require a significant amount of calcium to maintain their structural integrity. Osteoporosis results from too little calcium, leading to weakened bones. It’s a progressive disease and affects about 1 in 3 women aged 50 years and over.

How do you know if you have osteoporosis?

Often the first sign that a woman has osteoporosis is when a bone breaks. The most common fracture spots for a woman with osteoporosis are the hip, spine, and wrist.

Is osteoporosis more common in women than men?

Women are more likely to experience osteoporosis than men. Women’s bones are less dense than men’s, and they deteriorate at a greater rate. The likelihood of developing osteoporosis as a mature woman depends largely on how much bone mass you cultivated as a young woman.

How to increase bone density?

Increasing your bone density through healthy lifestyle choices can reduce your risk of osteoporosis. Eating the right foods, especially those rich in calcium and the correct amounts of vitamin D, help create stronger, denser bones. If you have dietary restrictions such as a dairy intolerance that make it hard to get enough calcium, consider an over-the-counter supplement. Both men and women under 50 years old need 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day. Women over 50 and men over 70 need 1,200 milligrams per day. Use caution when supplementing your diet with calcium, however, as more than 2,000 milligrams per day can lead to kidney stones and heart disease.

What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?

Bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed for osteoporosis treatment and prevention. The FDA has approved many bisphosphonates to prevent bone loss and fractures in post-menopausal women: alendronate (brand name Fosamax), etidronate (brand name Didronel), ibandronate (brand name Boniva), risedronate (brand name Actonel), tiludronate (brand name Skelid), pamidronate (brand name Aredia) and zoledronic acid (brand names Reclast and Zometa). Some are taken daily; others are formulated for weekly, monthly or yearly use. Bisphosphonates decrease the rate that bone is destroyed, a process called resorption, by stopping the activity of the cells that cause bone breakdown, called osteoclasts. This slows down the rate of bone loss. The drugs are also incorporated into newly formed bone and can persist in them for years, so the effects last well beyond the final treatment.

What hormones are used to treat osteoporosis?

Two other hormones have been approved to treat osteoporosis: teriparatide and abaloparatide. Teriparatide (brand name Forteo) is a lab-made derivative of human parathyroid hormone (PTH), and abaloparatide (band name Tymlos) is a derivative of human parathyroid hormone-related protein.

How has osteoporosis changed?

Osteoporosis treatment has radically changed in a relatively short period. In the early 1990s, women had few treatment options. Now, there are many different types of treatments available. This has created a dilemma for women trying to decide which, if any, of these medications they need. The NWHN believes that treatment should be focused on women ...

Is it safe to take a drug for osteoporosis?

Women want to know when it is appropriate to take a drug for osteoporosis, and which treatments are safe and effective. History has shown that preventing loss of bone mineral density in women who are otherwise at low risk of experiencing a fracture is dangerous.

How do bisphosphonates affect bone?

Bisphosphonates decrease the rate that bone is destroyed, a process called resorption, by stopping the activity of the cells that cause bone breakdown, called osteoclasts. This slows down the rate of bone loss.

Can bisphosphonates cause jaw pain?

The jaw tissue of some women taking bisphosphonates dies (jaw necrosis), which can necessitate removal of an area of the jaw bone.

What are the effects of estrogen receptor modulators?

They increase the risk of breast cancer, heart attack, blood clots, and stroke. Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) are compounds that act like estrogen on some tissues (e.g. bone tissue) and have an anti-estrogen effect on other tissues (e.g. breast and sometimes uterine tissue).

What is the new drug for osteoporosis?

A number of other osteoporosis drugs are in development, including a new monoclonal antibody (romosozumab) and drugs that block sclerostin, a protein that inhibits bone formation. However, Dr. Slovik doesn't think we're going to see any of these new drugs approved within the next year.

How to determine if you have osteoporosis?

Your doctor will determine whether you have osteoporosis by measuring your bone density —usually at the hip and spine—using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

What is the process of breaking down old bone?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Understanding your options begins with knowing what's available. Throughout our lives, our bones undergo constant renovation. In a process called bone turnover, cells called osteoclasts break down and remove old bone, and then cells called osteoblasts lay down new bone.

Which is better, alendronate or risedronate?

Alendronate, risedronate, and ibandronate have all been shown effective for reducing spine fractures. For women with a history of hip or nonspinal fractures, alendronate and risedronate are better options than ibandronate.

What is a T score?

The doctor will likely recommend medicine if you have. a T-score of –2.5 or lower —the definition of osteoporosis.

How long do women take bisphosphonates?

Doctors acknowledge that the risk of these side effects also increases with long-term use of bisphosphonates, so most women take these drugs for about five years. The good news is that the bone-protective benefits continue even after you stop taking bisphosphonates.

Does teriparatide cause pain?

The main side effects are hot flashes, muscle pain, and an increased risk of blood clots in the leg (deep-vein thrombosis). Teriparatide (Forteo) is a synthetic version of parathyroid hormone that increases bone density and strength. It can reduce the risk of fractures significantly in the spine and other bones.

What is the best exercise for osteoporosis?

Weight-bearing Exercise. ​. The first thing that I recommend for all patients with osteoporosis is to participate in weight-bearing exercise on a regular basis. This includes walking, jogging, dancing, using an elliptical, stair climbing, gardening, etc.

How common is osteoporosis?

Unfortunately, osteoporosis is extremely common and is ​becoming more prevalent. 1 in 7 women over 50 have osteoporosis. About 25% of women over age 65 have osteoporosis of either the hip or lumbar spine. About 5% of men over age 65 have osteoporosis. About half all women ​and 1 out of every 4 men over 50 ​will have an osteoporosis-related fracture ...

What is the Z score for osteoporosis?

The diagnosis of osteoporosis is made when ​the T-score is less than or equal to -2.5, which is way over on the far left of the bell curve.

Is osteoporosis a dangerous condition?

Osteoporosis is an extremely common and dangerous condition . It needs to be monitored closely and aggressively treated when possible. Like most conditions that affect the human body, eating a whole-food, nutrient-dense diet and exercising regularly (especially weight-bearing exercise) are the mainstays of treatment.

What is the bell curve on a graph?

If you place the values on a graph, it will produce what is commonly called a Bell Curve. This is true ​when you measure bone densities as well.

How long after a hip fracture can you die?

This is a very serious issue, because after a hip or vertebral fracture, ​ mortality is ​much higher in those people than in the general population ​even as late as 10 years after the fracture! Most of those deaths are not ​directly ​due to the fracture.

Is bone a living thing?

Bone is living tissue. It is constantly being broken down and replaced. When it is getting broken down faster than it is being made, the bones will gradually become weaker which makes it easier for them to fracture even with normal daily activities.

What is the treatment for a vertebral compression fracture?

Treatment for painful fractures starts with over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin).

How common are vertebral fractures?

Vertebral fractures are twice as common as hip fractures; about 25% of postmenopausal women have had at least one. Unlike hip fractures, which almost always result from a fall, vertebral fractures usually involve little or no trauma.

Why does my back hurt so bad?

Pain can become chronic as back muscles work harder to accommodate changes in the spine. A cane or walker may be needed, and riding in a car for more than a few minutes may become unbearable. Anatomy of a vertebral fracture.

What are the consequences of a vertebral fracture?

It doesn't snap like a twig, or like a broken leg or arm. Instead, it collapses, the way a paper cup is crushed when you step on it. The common term for this kind of break is compression fracture.

How does kyphosis affect the body?

Caused by a number of factors, including degenerative changes in joints, disks, and bones, kyphosis can profoundly affect appearance, mobility, and health. The spine becomes progressively more misaligned. The upper body is pitched forward and rounded.

What is the purpose of MRI before surgery?

Before either procedure, MRI is usually performed to determine if the patient is likely to benefit. A good candidate is one whose MRI shows the presence of bone edema, or fluid, which is associated with recent fracture. If bone edema is absent, that implies the fracture has healed and is not what's causing the pain.

How long does it take for a back brace to heal?

Healing can take up to three months.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment aims to slow or stop bone loss, and to improve bone density. Medications help improve bone density.
Medication

Bisphosphonates: This medication helps to prevent the bone loss. It may be taken orally or by injection.

Alendronate . Ibandronate . Zoledronic acid


Hormone therapy: Helps to prevent bone loss. Administered through injection every 6 months.

Denosumab


Hormone therapy: Helps to increase the bone density. This mimics the estrogen hormone. Usually given for women.

Raloxifene


Hormone therapy: In men this hormone therapy helps to increase the bone density.

Testosterone


Supplements: To improve bone health.

Vitamin D . Calcium supplements

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Dairy products
  • Low fat and non fat milk
  • Cheese
  • Yogurt
  • Fish
  • Canned sardines and salmon
  • Fatty variety fishes like tuna, mackerel
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Green beans, peas, spinach, tomato, dark green vegetables

Foods to avoid:

  • Alcohol

Specialist to consult

Orthopedician
Specializes in bones and their disorders.

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Your bone density can be measured by a machine that uses low levels of X-rays to determine the proportion of mineral in your bones. During this painless test, you lie on a padded table as a scanner passes over your body. In most cases, only certain bones are checked — usually in the hip and spine.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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