How can you protect your bones? Learn the latest prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
If you decide to take medication for Osteoporosis, the Food and Drug Administration has made it easier than ever. The FDA recently approved a drug you take only once a year. A company funded study found that Reclast reduces the rate of spine fractures by 70 percent. The catch? Your doctor administers it intravenously, which takes about 15 minutes. Still, 15 minutes once a year at your physician's office seems like a small price to pay for year round treatment. No pills to remember, ever.
Now that Reclast (manufactured by Novartis) is widely available, should all post-menopausal women take it? Not necessarily.
First determine if you are at risk.
Risk Factors
- Age The older you are the greater the risk.
- Body Structure Small, thin women are more likely to develop osteoporosis
- Family History If your grandmother has it, likely you will too.
- Certain Medications Check with your doctor as to which ones put you more at risk.
- Race White and Asian women are more likely to develop the disease.
- Having osteopenia which is low bone mass.
Half of all women over 50 will face a bone fracture from osteoporosis. That's why you need to have a bone density test after menopause. Your doctor will probably use a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) test. It is fast and painless, very similar to taking a regular x-ray, but uses much less radiation. The result is a measurement called a T-score. If your score is -2.5 or lower, you have osteoporosis.
Reduce your risk for osteoporosis
- Calcium Women under 50 need 1000 mg of calcium each day. Women over 50 need at least 1200.
- Vitamin D Women under 50 need at least 200 IU of vitamin D. Women over 50 need at least 400.
- Exercise And that means everyday. Walking, tennis, dancing, climbing stairs, jogging, or any other weight bearing exercise is essential.
- No Smoking It increases your risk substantially.
- Moderate alcohol Don't drink more than one glass per day.
If you have osteoporosis
- Eliminate Household hazards to prevent fractures. Remove loose wires, install grab bars in the bathroom.
- Don't lift heavy objects. This could cause a spine fracture.
- Wear sturdy shoes especially in winter.
Medications
A number of medications besides Reclast are on the market to treat this disease including:
- Fosamax
- Boniva
- Actonel
- Calcimar
- Miacalcin
Determine with your doctor, which treatment is right for you.
8 million U.S. women have osteoporosis. Prevention is key, if you don't want to become one of them.
Sources: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Reuters News Service, American College of Rheumatology. National Library of Medicine
