Osteoporosis Welcome to the Affordable Drugs osteoporosis information page. The information on osteoporosis contained on this page is intended for individuals concerned about the health of their bones and who want to lower their risk of osteoporosis. Here you can learn about the importance of exercise and calcium in preventing osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women. You can also learn about osteoporosis symptoms, causes and treatments. You can also find the best available prices on osteoporosis medications. The information contained on this page is not intended to replace the professional advice of your physician.
What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that causes thinning of the bones. As it worsens, the bones develop sponge-like holes which leads to greater fragility, and thus a greater chance of fracture. Osteoporosis typically occurs in post-menopausal women, usually over the age of 60, due in large part to a lack of estrogen. However, men can develop osteoporosis as can those taking certain medications. It is possible for people with chronic illnesses to develop this disease and even children may rarely exhibit osteoporosis symptoms.
How does osteoporosis develop?
Sometime around the age of 35 or 40 most people reach what is known as a "peak bone mass," meaning that their bone density is at its healthiest and strongest. Once a person arrives at this point, bone mass slowly begins to deteriorate. How quickly that happens depends on several things which we can identify as risk factors. Those who are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis include post-menopausal women of Asian or European descent, those with thin, small body structure and those with a family history of the disease. All of these risk factors are beyond our control. Some behaviors that lead to a greater risk of developing osteoporosis are smoking, consuming too much alcohol, and not taking calcium/vitamin D supplements or not getting enough of these minerals in your diet. Lack of exercise could also be considered a risk factor. Certain medications such as glucocorticoids, anti-seizure drugs and blood thinners, if used over a long period of time, can put a person at higher risk for developing osteoporosis.
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
Unfortunately, one may not realize that she or he has this disease until a fall occurs and a bone fracture results. Areas with the most vulnerable type of bone include the hips, spine and wrist areas. There are many incidents documented in which a person simply twists the wrong way and suffers a spine fracture. As a person ages, and the disease progresses, she may lose a few inches in height or develop a curved backbone or Dowager's hump. There may also be significant back or neck pain.
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
Along with a regular physical exam, one of the best ways to measure bone mineral density (BMD) is an X-Ray test called a DEXA. This test is quick and painless and scans the body to obtain a BMD reading. Another test known as QCT is more specific, but uses higher doses of radiation. Ultrasound can also be used.
How is osteoporosis treated?
Changes in lifestyle are important in the treatment of osteoporosis. It is important to consume foods rich in calcium and Vitamin D such as green leafy vegetables and dairy products . Weight-bearing exercise such as walking, running, dancing and aerobics can be beneficial to anyone suffering from this disease. The doctor may prescribe medications such as Boniva, Actonel or Fosamax to help improve bone mineral density along with the usual calcium and vitamin D supplements. The doctor would probably also advise that one quit smoking and consume only a limited amount of alcohol.
Obviously, one of the greatest dangers of osteoporosis is falling, as this often causes bone fractures. Try to make your home "fall-proof." Eliminate throw rugs that might cause one to slip, and always wear shoes with good rubber soles. Make sure the lighting in your home is sufficient so that you can see where you are going and avoid running into things. Hopefully, applying some common sense measures will preserve the ability to function independently.
It is estimated that 10 million people currently suffer from osteoporosis in this country. Being aware of the disease and its symptoms will go a long way toward helping to prevent serious bone fractures.
Osteoporosis symptoms WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOPOROSIS?
Early Osteoporosis Symptoms - The Silent Signs
In its earliest stages, there are few, if any, signs or symptoms of osteoporosis. Joint or muscle aches are commonly dismissed as a general result of aging or everyday activity, and the patient is often unaware that an underlying, more serious problem may be the cause. Asymptomatic in nature, osteoporosis is frequently confused with arthritis and the disease customarily becomes extremely advanced before the patient discusses treatment with a physician or seeks medical assistance. Frequently, medical attention is not sought for osteoporosis symptoms until this debilitating disease has made itself known in an extreme or dramatic manner, such as a broken or fractured bone or extreme back pain.
Advanced Osteoporosis Symptoms
Thin, brittle, weak bones that easily fracture or break are one of the advanced symptoms of osteoporosis. Commonly, the wrists, hips, and spine are more susceptible to fractures or breaks. This latter stage of the disease is typically characterized by severe back pain and decreased height. A deformation of the spine, or a vertebral collapse, is also a common advanced osteoporosis symptom. As this collapsing of the spinal vertebrae gradually occurs, a stooped posture is formed. This curvature of the upper spine is often referred to as a "dowager's hump". This can cause a dramatic decrease in the patient's height. Severe pain, debilitation, and disfigurement can all occur in the late stages of osteoporosis.
Results of Ignoring the Warning Signs and Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Because it is often undetected until the latter stages of the disease, osteoporosis is frequently left undiagnosed and untreated. While the disease is treatable, it is much more difficult to treat once it has reached the late stages. Many who are diagnosed even in the early stages however, fail to discuss it with a professional or seek medical advice in an effort to treat or slow the progression of the disease. Seeking medical advice immediately after diagnosis of osteoporosis is of vital importance to the patient's overall health. By ignoring the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis, the patient is increasing the progressive speed of the disease, and becomes more susceptible to fractures and breaks that can lead to excessive pain, deformation, or immobilization.
Osteoporosis Causes Osteoporosis, the loss of bone density, is the result of an imbalance in the bone's remodeling process where osteoclast cells resorb or dissolve old bone faster than osteoblast cells reform new bone. Expert opinion varies on the exact cause of this imbalance however; most experts agree that the following factors contribute to this condition.
Ethnicity, Heredity and Gender
Osteoporosis involves people of all ethnic groups and in both genders but current research reveals that it occurs more often in Caucasian and Asian women than it does in African-American or Hispanic women. Experts also agree that Osteoporosis can be hereditary.
Women are more likely to develop Osteoporosis than men, because women tend to have smaller, thinner bones than men and women experience a drastic loss of the estrogen at menopause. Evidence bears validity that estrogen protects bones.
Loss of testosterone in men can also have an effect on the body's ability to continue balanced bone remodeling and current research revealed that lower than normal estrogen levels can negatively have an effect on bone health in men as well as women.
Diet
Inadequate diet does cause bone density loss. Nutrients such as amino acids, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and vitamin D are imperative for healthy bones.
Medical Conditions and Medications
Gastrointestinal disorders can inhibit the body's ability to absorb nutrients vital to the bone's remodeling process such as; amino acids, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and vitamin D. The condition Hypercalciuria causes the loss of excessive amounts of calcium through the urine. Certain thyroid conditions, as well as Hypogonadism, a condition that results in abnormally, low, sex hormone levels can cause an imbalance in the bone's remodeling ability.
Glucocorticoids, which are a type of steroid medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, have bone density loss as a common side effect. Cancer treatments can impair bone density, especially the type usually prescribed in the treatment of prostrate cancer.
Immobilization or an Inactive Lifestyle
Prolonged bed rest due to illness or injury causes a decrease in bone density as does a sedentary lifestyle.
Weight-bearing exercise such as walking, aerobics, jogging, running, dancing and weight lifting contribute to healthy bones.
Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Experts have not yet determined exactly how smoking and excessive alcohol consumption cause bone loss, but evidence suggests that alcohol and cigarettes may contain toxins that impair bone remodeling or inhibit the body's ability to absorb vital nutrients such as calcium.
Calcium Osteoporosis The mineral that is found of most abundance in our body is Calcium of which 99.5% of it is found in our bones. And being that bones are what make up a person's endoskeleton, having healthy bones is very important. Unlike exoskeletons, an endoskeleton will grow as a person reaches full maturity. And even when fully developed an adult's skeleton needs Calcium in order for that person to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Not getting sufficient levels of calcium can lead to osteoporosis, or porous bones. Only 50-60 % of adults and 10-25% of adolescents in the United States get a sufficient amount of Calcium in their bodies.
So what causes this debilitating condition? There are two reasons as to why Calcium levels are low in the body. One is a diet that is poor in Calcium consumption. The other is the body's inability to absorb the mineral. When this mineral content level is low the body tends to retrieve it from the bones. Normally the body returns the Calcium to the body when it becomes available. But when this becomes a continued trend osteoporosis occurs in the bones. The bones become brittle and are susceptible to breaking. This is not uncommon in elderly people. Bone thinning is a natural part of the process of aging. Even though it does occur, this bone degeneration can be prevented or slowed. Although this condition has been mentioned as common in older people there are cases of osteoporosis in prematurely aged bones. Yes it does occur in younger people.
It is known by scientists that estrogen is protective which explains why osteoporosis is more prevalent in women. If a woman's body has sufficient levels of estrogen available to the body, the risk are much lower. There are opportunities for this malaise to manifest itself even for younger females. In the 4th week estrogen levels are much lower and therefore bones are provided less protection during that period of time. Clearly estrogen is the essential catalyst in prevention. And this is the major problem in the post-menopausal stage of women's lives. The estrogen levels are permanently decreased. It is not known exactly how estrogen protects against the degeneration of bones but statistics show that estrogen levels and Calcium Osteoporosis are crucially tied together.
Postmenopausal Osteoperosis Postmenopausal Osteoperosis is a chronic and progressive condition that can have devastating effects for those who suffer from it. The condition is marked by the breakdown of bone tissue, leading to an extremely low density of bone mass. Having such a low density of bone mass leads to extreme bone fragility, which in turn causes fractures which can be life-threatening or even lead to death.
Unfortunately, many postmenopausal women are unaware that they have a low enough bone density to be diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoperosis. Oftentimes, these women are living in poverty and cannot afford to keep the medical appointments necessary to detect postmenopausal osteoperosis and other chronic conditions common in that age group. Because they do not know of their condition, they are unaware of important precautions they should be taking for protection. This lack of knowledge leads many poor women with postmenopausal osteoperosis either injured, or worse, deceased.
Research has shown that women who are diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoperosis and properly educated about the symptoms, treatment and safety precautions have a much higher survival rating than the women who are never diagnosed with the condition. These women are able to begin a treatment program as directed by their physician. The treatment often includes one or more of the following: biophosphates, hormone replacement therapy or calcitonin. Many doctors also suggest taking supplements such as Vitamin D and calcium, and participating in weight-bearing activities.
Sodium fluoride has also been found a helpful treatment for women with osteoperosis, but only for those who are at an early stage of the condition and haven not suffered fractures as a result of their osteoperosis. Studies surrounding women who had progressed further into more severe osteoperosis showed that these women did not benefit any more from sodium fluoride than they did from taking a placebo. For this reason, sodium fluoride is a method of treatment reserved only for the youngest women with osteoperosis who have a significantly higher bone mass than the moderate and severe osteoperosis cases.
Research has also found that the risk for osteoperosis can be greatly reduced through consuming appropriate amounts of vitamin D and calcium, especially during childhood and adolescense. The easiest ways to do this are to have three servings of vitamin D milk a day or to take vitamin D and calcium supplements. The next best precautionary measure is exercising regulary and abstaining from smoking. If these precautions can reduce the risk of having osteoperosis, than they are worth taking.
Osteoporosis Treatments Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the bones in the body to lose density and strength. This makes the bones fragile and can be easily broken. Men and women who have developed osteoporosis will most likely break the bones in their wrist, hip, and spine. The good news is that this disease can be treated and even prevented. Osteoporosis can be prevented by changing your lifestyle or taking certain medications. Treatment of osteoporosis involves lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Medication can also be used to treat osteoporosis. The best way to treat osteoporosis is to prevent it from developing because it is very hard to reverse. A way to both prevent and treat osteoporosis is through proper nutrition and exercise. To form and maintain strong healthy bones, you need to be getting enough calcium. You should be eating lots of calcium-rich foods such as low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt, leafy green vegetables, cauliflower, broccoli, tofu, and salmon. The National Institutes of Health panel recommends that menstruating women should get 1,000 mg of calcium a day. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should get 1,200 mg to 1,500 mg a day. Women who are postmenopausal and not on hormone replacement therapy need 1,500 mg a day. Men who are 25 to 65 years old need 1,000 mg a day and men who are aged 65 and older need 1,500 mg a day. Calcium supplements are recommended for those who do not get their daily requirement of calcium through food. The most effective types of supplements that decrease bone loss are calcium gluconate and calcium citrate. Doctors also recommend vitamin D supplements to aid in the body's calcium absorption. Be warned the calcium supplements can reduce the effect of certain medications, so you should check with your doctor before taking the supplements. Another preventative step or treatment of osteoporosis is to avoid foods that are high in phosphorus. These foods actually contribute to bone loss and they include soft drinks, red meat, and food with phosphate additives. Drinking high amounts of alcohol and caffeine will also hinder the absorption of calcium, so avoid these whenever possible.
Exercise is also a treatment of osteoporosis since it helps to maintain strong bones. Exercises that put emphasis on your bones such as walking, running, ballet, tennis, aerobics, stair climbing, and weightlifting have been proven to prevent osteoporosis and decrease bone loss. It is important that you exercise at least 30 to 45 minutes three times a week. Exercises such as swimming and bicycling do not prevent or treat osteoporosis because they do not stress your bones adequately. Osteoporosis treatments may also include taking certain medications to slow down or stop bone loss and maximize bone density. Biophosphonates are the most widely used drugs for osteoporosis treatments. These medications slow down the process of bone-dissolving cells. As you progress through life, your old bones will dissolve while new bones are made to replace the old ones. The breakdown of your bones will get faster as you get older and biophosphonates will slow this process. There are several different biophosphontes available that are used as treatments for osteoporosis. Actonel (risedronate) is able to increase bone density and decrease your risks of hip, spine, wrist and other fractures. Actonel is usually taken once a week, but is also available in daily, twice a month, and once a month doses. The side effects of this drug include headache, diarrhea, changes in taste, constipation, pain of the muscles or joints, nausea, eye pain, and stomach fullness. Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor include allergic reactions of the skin, vision changes, heartburn, pain when swallowing, black stools, and pain of the stomach. Taking this medication with aspirin, antacids, and calcium supplements may cause negative interactions. Fosamax (alendronate) is able to help with bone mass growth and can decrease the risk of hip, spine, and other breakage. It can be taken either daily or weekly. Possible side effects include changes in taste, headache, excess gas, pain in the muscles or joints, and eye pain. The serious side effects from taking this medication include changes in vision, black stools, chest pain, heartburn, pain when swallowing, jaw pain, and allergic reactions of the skin such as hives, itching, or swelling of the face. If you develop any of these serious side effects you should see your doctor immediately. Certain drugs may interact with Fosamax such as aspirin, iron or magnesium supplements, and antacids. Boniva (ibandronate) is able to decrease the risk of spinal fractures, but it will not decrease the risk of hip and other fractures. It is taken monthly and is also available as an intravenous injection that is administered every three months. Possible side effects of this medication include constipation, diarrhea, headache, difficulty sleeping, nausea, and eye pain. The serious side effects that you should report to your doctor include pain when swallowing, chest pain, heartburn, black stools, jaw pain, and allergic reactions of the skin. Certain medications can interact with Boniva such as aspirin, antacids, vitamins with minerals, and calcium supplements. Reclast (zoledronic acid) may increase bone mass and decrease the risk of hip, spine, and other fractures. This is given by intravenous injection once a year. The side effects of this medication include fever, nausea, upset stomach, fatigue, pain in the muscles or joints, irritation of the injection site, and loss of appetite. The serious side effects that you should report to your doctor include allergic reactions of the skin, changes in vision, problems breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded, muscle stiffness or cramps, and problems passing urine. Reclast may negatively interact with certain drugs such as antibiotics that are given by injection, teriparatide, and diuretics like furosemide and bumetanide. Certain medications used for osteoporosis treatments are made specifically for postmenopausal women. Evista (raloxifene) is once such drug that slows down the process of bone loss. It is available as a pill that should be taken once a day. Side effects of this drug are not common, but they include leg cramps, stomach pain, build up of fluid, and sweating. The serious side effects include change in vision, trouble breathing, pain in the chest, a rash on the skin, and leg pain. Drugs that may interact with this medication are diazepam, female hormones associated with hormone replacement therapy, and lidocaine. Other treatments for osteoporosis involve hormone therapy. This has been proven to increase bone density and reduce the risk of hip and spinal fractures in women who are postmenopausal. ET/HT or estrogen/hormone therapy is typically administered as a pill or skin patch. These estrogen treatments for osteoporosis have been known to increase a woman's risk of developing endometrial cancer. The progestin hormone is used in combination with the estrogen hormone to remove this risk. The side effects of ET/HT treatments for osteoporosis are mood swings, tenderness of the breasts, blood clots in the veins, and vaginal bleeding.
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