Osteoporosis is the gradual weakening of bones, which may result in loss of height and bone fractures. We have previous thought of this as an inevitable process associated with aging.
Osteoporosis is preventable and treatable.
Imagine yourself driving over a bridge. You notice that many of the bridge’s support beams have collapsed and deteriorated. Would you want to drive over that bridge again? The bone in Osteoporosis has lost many of its support structures, which are called “trabeculae”. Amazingly, treatment for Osteoporosis can cause regrowth of the bone at any age.
Symptoms
- loss of height
- Change of posture (Dowager’s Hump)
- Pain due to fracture of hip, spine, wrist, ribs
Associated Conditions
- Vitamin D Deficiency, Hyperparathyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Multiple Myeloma, Celiac Disease
- Detection: Bone Densitometry is used to detect oseoporosis and measure the effectiveness of treatment
Treatment
- Exercise – walking, gentle weight lifting
- Reduction of intake of caffeinated beverages – coffee, tea, cola
- Calcium intake of 1200mg / day plus vitamin D 1000 units / day – may be in food or supplement
- 8 ounces of milk or calcium rich orange juice contains 300mg of calcium, ice cream, cheese, yogurt and cottage cheese contain 200mg of calcium per serving
- Hormone Replacement Therapy – maximally 2% increase in bone density/year
- Miacalcin – maximally 2% increase in bone density/year
- Bisphosphate – Fosamax, Boniva, and Actonel – maximally 5-10% increase in bone density/year
- Prolia 5-10% increase
- PTH (Forteo) – maximally 15% increase in bone density/year
- All treatments decrease fracture risk