Treatment FAQ

what treatment is there for osteoporosis

by Georgiana Kemmer Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Bisphosphonates are usually the first choice for osteoporosis treatment. These include: Alendronate (Fosamax), a weekly pill. Risedronate (Actonel), a weekly or monthly pill.

What are the best natural remedies for osteoporosis?

Aug 13, 2020 · 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

What medications treat osteoporosis?

Exercise is an important part of an osteoporosis treatment program. During childhood and adulthood, exercises such as walking, dancing, or weight lifting can make bones stronger. For older adults, regular exercise can help: Keep muscles strong and improve coordination and balance. This can help lower your chance of falling. Keep your independence.

Can I do anything to prevent osteoporosis?

What is it like to live with osteoporosis?

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What is the newest treatment 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

Can a person be cured of osteoporosis?

The short answer is no, osteoporosis cannot be completely reversed and is not considered curable, but there are a number of health and lifestyle adjustments you can make to improve bone loss. Your provider may also prescribe you medications to help rebuild and slow down bone loss.Aug 9, 2021

What is the life expectancy of a person with osteoporosis?

The average life expectancy of osteoporosis patients is in excess of 15 years in women younger than 75 years and in men younger than 60 years, highlighting the importance of developing tools for long-term management.

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

Is walking good for osteoporosis?

You can prevent bone loss with regular exercise, such as walking. If you have osteoporosis or fragile bones, regular brisk walking can help to keep your bones strong and reduce the risk of a fracture in the future.Jan 17, 2018

What not to do if you have osteoporosis?

With low bone density or osteoporosis, you should avoid:Rounding poses or rounded spine movements.Spine twist or any deep twists.Corkscrew or bicycle.Deep hip stretches (like the pigeon pose)Warrior pose.Overpressure from teachers.Nov 26, 2019

Should I worry if I have osteoporosis?

Talk with your doctor about an earlier scan if you have any warning signs or risk factors for osteoporosis: a bone fracture after age 50. sudden back pain. loss of height or increasingly stooped posture.

What organs are affected by osteoporosis?

About 2 million fractures in the US each year are due to osteoporosis. Although all bones can be affected by the disease, the bones of the spine, hip, and wrist are most likely to break. In older people, hip fractures can be particularly dangerous.Jul 30, 2021

What are the three stages of osteoporosis?

Primary Osteoporosis Involutional osteoporosis type I or postmenopausal osteoporosis is caused by a lack of the hormone estrogen. This type of primary osteoporosis mainly affects women who have reached menopause. Involutional osteoporosis type II or senile osteoporosis is strictly related to normal aging.Oct 17, 2021

Are bananas good for osteoporosis?

As all these nutrients play an essential role for your health, they also improve your bone density. Eat pineapple, strawberries, oranges, apples, bananas and guavas. All these fruits are loaded with vitamin C, which in turn, strengthen your bones.Nov 6, 2017

What is the best fruit for bones?

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

Are eggs good for osteoporosis?

Egg intake was positively correlated with radius and tibia cortical bone mineral content and total body bone mineral density. So, incorporating whole eggs into children's diets is a good strategy to promote a child's bone development, prevent fractures, and possibly reduce the future risk of osteoporosis.Nov 7, 2018

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?

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 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.

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Treatment

Purpose

Medical uses

  • 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), pamidr…
See more on nwhn.org

Prevention

  • Although many clinicians and pharma-sponsored education campaigns conflate prevention and treatment, the NWHN thinks that it is important for people considering bisphosphonates to understand how the effectiveness differs based on individuals bone health. These drugs have been shown to reduce the risk of a hip fracture in women who have been diagnosed with osteop…
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Risks

  • There have been numerous reports of unusual fractures in the thighbones of otherwise healthy women that took an inordinately long time to heal. Other women experienced severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain. The FDA advises patients with such pain to consider discontinuing the drug, which usually causes the pain to go away. The jaw tissue of some women taking bisphosphonat…
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Overview

  • Denosumab (brand name Prolia) is an osteoporosis medication that uses human monoclonal antibody. Approved in 2010, this drug works by targeting and inactivating osteoclasts to stop natural bone breakdown, or resorption, processes. Denosumab is given in a subcutaneous (just below the skin) injection twice a year. This treatment is intended for women...
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Side effects

  • Denosumab has proven effective at building bone density and reducing spine and hip fractures. However, it carries a risk of serious side effects. Denosumabs cellular target in bone also exists in the immune system. This has led some women taking denosumab to experience serious infections requiring hospitalization (e.g. heart infections), making this a poor option for those wi…
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Benefits

  • Exercise is another critical way to maintain healthy bones. Studies have shown that exerciseespecially weight bearing exercise regimens like walking, dancing, or runningleads to increased bone density. Tai Chi an ancient Chinese practice that combines slow, deliberate movements, breathing exercises, and meditation has been shown to be one of the most effectiv…
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Selected publications

  • 1. Gourlay M, Fine J, Preisser J et al, Bone-Density Testing Interval and Transition to Osteoporosis in Older Women, N Engl J Med 2012; 366:225-233. 3. Black D, Schwartz A, Ensrud K et al, Effects of continuing or stopping alendronate after 5 years of treatment: the Fracture Intervention Trial Long-Term Extension (FLEX): a randomized trial, JAMA 2006; 296:2927-2938. 4. Black D, Reid I, …
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Resources

  • 2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Website, Bisphosphonates Information, Silver Spring, MD: U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2011. Retrieved on June 22, 2015 from: http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/postmarketdrugsafetyinformationforpatientsandproviders/…
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Clinical significance

  • 19. Parkkari J, Kannus P, Palvanen M, et al. Majority of Hip Fractures Occur as a result of a fall and impact on the greater trochanter of the femur: A prospective controlled hip fracture study with 206 consecutive patients Calcif tissue Int. 1999; 65:183-7.
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Sources

  • 20. Center for Disease Control, Hip Fractures among Older Adults, September 20, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adulthipfx.html 21. Gillespie LD, Robertson MC, Gillespie WJ, et al. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community Cochran Database of Systematic Reviews 2012 (9).
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Diagnosis

Treatment

  • Treatment recommendations are often based on an estimate of your risk of breaking a bone in the next 10 years using information such as the bone density test. If your risk isn't high, treatment might not include medication and might focus instead on modifying risk factors for bone loss and falls.
See more on mayoclinic.org

Clinical Trials

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
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Lifestyle and Home Remedies

  • These suggestions might help reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis or breaking bones: 1. Don't smoke.Smoking increases rates of bone loss and the chance of fracture. 2. Limit alcohol.Consuming more than two alcoholic drinks a day may decrease bone formation. Being under the influence of alcohol also can increase your risk of falling. 3. Preve...
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Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Your doctor might suggest bone density testing. Screening for osteoporosis is recommended for all women over age 65. Some guidelines also recommend screening men by age 70, especially if they have health issues likely to cause osteoporosis. If you have a broken bone after a minor force injury, such as a simple fall, bone density testing may be important to assess your risk of more fr…
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