Medications
If you are a postmenopausal woman, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Because HRT replaces lost oestrogen, it prevents rapid bone loss and increases bone density
in the hip and spine. Long-term treatment with HRT is controversial, however, because it carries increased risk for gallstones, blood clots, breast cancer and other problems. For oestrogen's protective benefits without its side effects, ask about a new class of drugs called selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as raloxifene (Evista) and tibolone (Livial). SERMs prevent bone loss throughout the entire body, but they carry an increased risk of blood clots so they are not right for everyone.
For those people who cannot take other medications, there is evidence that calcitonin, a naturally occurring hormone that inhibits the breakdown of bone and reduces the risk of a fractured vertebra, may help. While not yet available in Australia for the treatment of osteoporosis symptoms it is widely used in Europe. This hormone is expensive and needs to be given by injection.
PROMISING DEVELOPMENTS
Natural methods
If you have pain from fractures, don't assume that you just have to put up with it. You may be able to get real pain relief--without side effects--from acupuncture, chiropractic or massage therapy. Ask your doctor if any of these might be a good option for you.
If you are a postmenopausal woman, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Because HRT replaces lost oestrogen, it prevents rapid bone loss and increases bone density
in the hip and spine. Long-term treatment with HRT is controversial, however, because it carries increased risk for gallstones, blood clots, breast cancer and other problems. For oestrogen's protective benefits without its side effects, ask about a new class of drugs called selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as raloxifene (Evista) and tibolone (Livial). SERMs prevent bone loss throughout the entire body, but they carry an increased risk of blood clots so they are not right for everyone.
For those people who cannot take other medications, there is evidence that calcitonin, a naturally occurring hormone that inhibits the breakdown of bone and reduces the risk of a fractured vertebra, may help. While not yet available in Australia for the treatment of osteoporosis symptoms it is widely used in Europe. This hormone is expensive and needs to be given by injection.
PROMISING DEVELOPMENTS
- Doctors are now studying the benefits of taking extra parathyroid harmone (PTH), a substance that all people naturally secrete and that appears to stimulate the growth of new bone tissue. In studies, PTH injections dramatically reduced the risk of all fractures in postmenopausal women, especially those of the spine. Benefits may continue even after PTH treatment is completed. Researchers are also looking at combining injections with other osteoporosis treatments to offer patients the best possible therapy.
Lifestyle Changes
As they can with other medical conditions, lifestyle changes can make a big difference when you have osteoporosis. Keep the following bone-building and safety tips in mind:
- Have milk or other low-fat dairy products on a regular basis. These foods are richest in the calcium you need for strong bones.
- Do some strength building. For your bones to make the best use of calcium, you need to do weight-bearing exercise (which may also increase bone density); try brisk walking, jogging, dancing
SPARE YOUR BONES: DO DAILY ACTIVITIES CORRECTLY
To prevent osteoporosis related injuries as you go about your daily life:
To prevent osteoporosis related injuries as you go about your daily life:
- Always sit up straight. Pick a chair that supports the curve of your lower back (or use a rolled-up towel or lumbar roll). Sit with your spine lengthened, shoulders wide.
- Prepare for a sneeze (or cough). A sudden sneeze can jerk your weakened torso forward, injuring your spine. If you feel one coming on, bend your knees with your back straight and put one hand on your thigh for support (see photopgraph). Or brace your lower back with your hand to stay upright.
Incorrect Correct
SPARE YOUR BONES: DO DAILY ACTIVITIES CORRECTLY - Do chores correctly. Take care as you vacuum, mop floors, or rake the yard. Bend from your knees and hips, not your waist. Don't twist; push rather than pull.
- Bend from your hips. when you lean down to load the dishwasher or make the bed, don't sag from your waist. Instead, bend at your knees and hips, keeping your lower back straight.
- Open with care. Trying to lift a 'stuck' or especially heavy window is a common cause of compression fractures. That's because it puts a great deal of pressure on your spine. Instead of opening the window by yourself, ask someone to help.
Osteoporosis in men
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While it's true that men start out with greater bone density and lose calcium at a slower rate than women, hormonal changes may also contribute to men's development of osteoporosis. A decline in testosterone, which occurs naturally after the build new bone. (Men also produce a small amount of oestrogen, and fluctuations in this may also play a role.) Prostate cancer treatment can also cause abnormally low testosterone.
The treatment for men with a low level of testosterone who develop osteoporosis and suffer fractures following minimal trauma is usually alendronate and/or androgen replacement therapy, which is often applied as a skin patch.
lifting weights or star climbing. Be sure to ask your doctor for gudielines on what and how much exercise is safe for you.
While it's true that men start out with greater bone density and lose calcium at a slower rate than women, hormonal changes may also contribute to men's development of osteoporosis. A decline in testosterone, which occurs naturally after the build new bone. (Men also produce a small amount of oestrogen, and fluctuations in this may also play a role.) Prostate cancer treatment can also cause abnormally low testosterone.
The treatment for men with a low level of testosterone who develop osteoporosis and suffer fractures following minimal trauma is usually alendronate and/or androgen replacement therapy, which is often applied as a skin patch.
lifting weights or star climbing. Be sure to ask your doctor for gudielines on what and how much exercise is safe for you.
- Limit beverages that leach calcium from your bones. Restrict alcoholic drinks to one a day if you're a woman or two if you're a man. Draw the line at two cups of caffeinated coffee a day.
- If you smoke, quit. Tobacco interferes with your normal bone metabolism, contributing to osteoporosis.
- Secure rugs firmly to the floor. Tack rugs down or use a slipproof backing to lessen chances of falls.
- Install handrails wherever you feel you might need assistance in changing position; for example, in the bathtub or shower recess.
- Check the lighting. Be sure your rooms are well lit during waking hours and that you find lights switches easily in the dark.
- Don't run for a train or bus. Rushing increases your risk of having a fall or tripping so always allow enough time to get there safety.
>IF YOU TAKE FOSAMAX, be careful about using NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen. A new study has found that the combination of the two drugs magnifies the potential irritation of your stomach lining and increases your chances for developing a stomach ulcer.
Procedures
Your doctor will check your progress with bone density tests called dual energy X-ray absorptio-metry, or DEXA (see on later). If you have a severe break or other problems such as osteoarthritis, joint replacement is an option. This surgery, which replaces part of a hip or knee with manmade materials (see on previous), can offer great improvement in your ability to participate in daily activities. If you have a collapsed spinal vertebra, a new therapy called vertebroplasty may relieve pain and prevents kyphosis (dowager's hump). vertebroplasty involves injecting a cement-like substance into the fractured body of the vertebra, which stablilses the bone as it sets.
Procedures
Your doctor will check your progress with bone density tests called dual energy X-ray absorptio-metry, or DEXA (see on later). If you have a severe break or other problems such as osteoarthritis, joint replacement is an option. This surgery, which replaces part of a hip or knee with manmade materials (see on previous), can offer great improvement in your ability to participate in daily activities. If you have a collapsed spinal vertebra, a new therapy called vertebroplasty may relieve pain and prevents kyphosis (dowager's hump). vertebroplasty involves injecting a cement-like substance into the fractured body of the vertebra, which stablilses the bone as it sets.
Natural methods
If you have pain from fractures, don't assume that you just have to put up with it. You may be able to get real pain relief--without side effects--from acupuncture, chiropractic or massage therapy. Ask your doctor if any of these might be a good option for you.
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