What Is the Safest Way to Treat Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones and increases the risk of bone fractures. The common places for bone fractures to occur are in the wrist, hip or spine areas. Osteoporosis is caused by low levels of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals, according to the Mayo Clinic website. According to the American Medical Women's Association, this disease affects approximately 44 million Americans. Thirty million of them are women.

Diagnosis

• Osteoporosis usually is diagnosed by a special X-ray method called densitometry, according to the Endocrine Web website. Densitometry shows accurate measurements of the amount of bone mineral density (BMD) in each part of the body. When the measurements have been taken, the BMD results are compared to those of a healthy young female's BMD. Typically, a female with low BMD values will have 2.5 standard deviations below the average of a healthy young female.

  According to the Mayo Clinic website, your chances of developing osteoporosis depend largely on the size and density of your bones. The density of your bones is determined by the amount of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals they receive. Throughout your life, your bones are constantly making new bone and breaking down old bone. This process is called remodeling, and it usually takes two to three months for a full cycle to occur. Your peak bone mass occurs between the ages of 25 and 35.

  As you get older, your body speeds up the breaking-down process and slows down the formation of new bone. If the creation of new bone can't keep up with the destruction, bones become weak, and osteoporosis may occur. Common symptoms include back pain, a decrease in height over time, and fractures of the wrists, hips, spine and other bones.

Treatment

• Before safety issues were a concern, hormone therapy (HT) in the form of estrogen supplements was the preferred treatment for osteoporosis. Now, new medications and safer therapies have emerged. Some of these new medications have decreased bone loss and even increased some bone density over time. Some of the more common medications include bisphosphonates, raloxifene and calcitonin.

  Bisphosphonates reduce the breakdown of bones while preserving bone mass and increasing bone density. This drug is beneficial for men, young adults, and those suffering from osteoporosis due to steroid use. Some side effects include acid reflux, nausea and stomach pain.

  Raloxifene is beneficial for postmenopausal women with low levels of estrogen. It helps to increase bone density. Only women with osteoporosis can take this drug. Hot flashes are a common side effect.

  Calcitonin slows the oteoclasts from breaking down the bone, and it may prevent different types of bone fractures. This drug can be administered as a mist from a nasal spray or as an injection. Use of the nasal spray may cause some nasal irritation.

Other Treatments

• In addition to these medications, some people are using a complementary and alternative medicine approach (CAM) to combat their osteoporosis. Some of the treatments include acupuncture, herbs, nutritional supplements, and eating a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and other vitamins and minerals.

  Other therapies include exercises, such as walking, running, tennis, aerobics, weightlifting and ballet. There are few if any risks associated with alternative treatments, but their efficacy is debated within the medical community.