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Most effective osteoporosis treatment approaches in 2020

BY READERS DIGEST

23rd Mar 2020 Health Conditions

Most effective osteoporosis treatment approaches in 2020

Osteoporosis is a common problem in older people. As the body ages, the ability to replace bone cells diminishes, which can lead to serious fractures and resulting health issues.

Diagnosis and treatment of poor bone density can help individuals maintain better health and function as they age. 

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disorder that often occurs with aging. The process by which bones in the human body renew themselves becomes less efficient. This can lead to bone loss, which makes bones brittle and weak. In the early stages, you may not have any symptoms. However, later, individuals may have back pain, a stooped posture, loss of height and more frequent bone breaks.

Because of the disorder causes the bones to become very weak and porous, breaking a bone can occur easily. Fractures of the spine, wrist or hip are common in individuals with osteoporosis. Without proper treatment, osteoporosis can lead to a variety of health issues and even death

Options For Treatment of Osteoporosis

A simple bone density test can alert you to the problem of poor bone density. Your doctor can recommend a number of methods of treatment to help strengthen your bones. Medication, lifestyle changes, hormone replacement and exercise can decrease the risks of fractures from osteoporosis. 

Dietary Enhancement

Individuals with osteoporosis can also improve their condition by ensuring that certain nutrients are included in their daily diet. Adding foods can contain calcium, such as low-fat dairy products, leafy vegetables, soy products and canned salmon or sardines can help reduce the risk of bone loss. A daily supplement of vitamin D can also help the absorption of calcium in the body to help strengthen bones. 

Medications

A number of oral medications are available to improve bone density in individuals who have tried other methods without sufficiently positive results. Bonfonisates are a category of drugs that are used to increase bone density in individuals with osteoporosis. These drugs include ibandronate, alendronate, risedronate and zoledronic acid, under various brand names. Hormone-like drugs are also used for improving bone density, such as raloxifene, denosumab, teriparatide and abaloparatide. Intravenous forms of some of these drugs are also available. 

Lifestyle Changes

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, your doctor will probably recommend lifestyle changes that can help to reduce bone loss. Increasing your daily exercise helps to strengthen bones, so you can continue to be in good condition as you age. Because smoking can also contribute to bone loss, your doctor will discuss methods to help you quit smoking. Alcohol can also affect bone density, so you should also reduce your alcohol intake to just one or two drinks per week. You doctor will also discuss fall prevention methods to implement in your home. 

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Estrogen is a female hormone that decreases after menopause. This hormone protects the body against bone loss. Some women may be prescribed hormone replacement therapy to replace the estrogen. Human growth hormone, often called “HGH,” is also used for the treatment of osteoporosis. This hormone can have a protective effect on bone density for some time after treatment. Your doctor can provide more information on hormone replacement for maintaining good bone density or you are welcome to have a free consultation from one of top-rated HGH Therapy Clinics at hghtherapydoc.com.

The many options for treatment allow older individuals to avoid many of the problems of decreasing bone density that occurs with aging. Often, a combined strategy of several of these methods are often recommended to ensure you avoid serious bone fractures that can affect quality of life as you age.

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