Osteoporosis Treatment
What is Osteoporosis? Who can get it? How do I treat it? Is there a natural Alternative to harsh drugs for Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by the loss of bone mineral density and the disruption of non-collagenous bone proteins. The most serious effect of osteoporosis is the increased risk of fracture, particularly of the hip or the vertebrae. Osteoporosis is one of the most common conditions to afflict the senior population today.
Most people over 40 show some signs of bone mass loss, but not all bone loss rises to the level osteoporosis. According to the World Health Organization, osteoporosis is present is the bone mineral density is 2.5 standard deviations or more below the bone mass of a healthy 20 year old female. In the absence of a measurement of standard deviation, “established osteoporosis” can be diagnosed after a pathologic or frailty fracture. Reduced bone density that has not met the diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis is called osteopenia.
You Don't Know You Have It Until Its Too Late
Osteoporosis is a silent condition. There are usually no specific symptoms and it can remain undiagnosed until a person suffers a fracture from a minor fall or until a DAXA bone scan is performed. Compression fractures of the vertebrae, where vertebrae suddenly collapse, can also indicate the presence of osteoporosis.
Older females are most at risk for osteoporosis. When estrogen production drops after menopause, bone mineral density drops rapidly. Decreased testosterone levels in men also result in lower bone mineral density, but the effect is not as pronounced. Women with a family history of the disease are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Other risk factors for osteoporosis include poor nutrition, low body weight, excess alcohol consumption and smoking. A diet heavy in beef and low in vegetables has also been shown to increase osteoporosis risk. Vegetarians are at reduced risk of losing bone mass.
Osteoporosis Drug Treatments
Once osteoporosis has been diagnosed, there are many different treatments available. Conventional medical treatment relies heavily on medical treatment coupled with nutritional counseling and increased physical activity.
One of the most common forms of drug treatment for women at high risk of osteoporosis is estrogen replacement therapy, or ERT. ERT is often prescribed for women under 50 who have had a hysterectomy, have experienced premature menopause or who have multiple osteoporosis risk factors. ERT has a high incidence of side effects, including an increased risk of heart disease and breast cancer, so it is no longer the first line of defense for the majority of women.
For women without excessive osteoporosis risk, bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis more often than any other treatment. Two common bisphosphonates are Fosamax and Actonel slow bone loss and replace lost bone density. Studies have shown that users of both drugs have a lower risk of fracture in the hip and the spine, two areas where fractures are most likely to occur. Both drugs are taken on a weekly schedule.
Another common medication is Raloxifine, which mimics the benefits of ERT but lacks many of the most serious side effects. Raloxifine prevents the loss of bone density and reduces the risk of vertebral fracture. A daily dose is prescribed for treatment of osteoporosis.
In addition to prescription drugs, many doctors also recommend a combination of calcium and vitamin D supplements for post-menopausal women. Increased weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, can also prevent bone loss and is a part of most osteoporosis treatment plans.
Natural Osteoporosis Treatment
Many people are not comfortable with a regular routine of prescribed drugs. The high cost and many side effects of traditional treatments lead many people to seek alternative osteoporosis treatments. An increasingly large number of women have turned to soy isoflavones to combat osteoporosis. Soy isoflavones have only a mild estrogen mimicking effect, but studies show that they have a dramatic effect on the preservation and building of bone in post-menopausal women.
Another natural therapy that has shown promise is the increased consumption of blueberries. A recent study by researchers from Oklahoma State University and Florida State University shows that ovariectomised rats that were fed a diet rich in blueberries were found to maintain bone mineral density levels compared to rats who did not receive blueberries in their diet.
Different herbal remedies are also popular with many women, including alfalfa, which also treats symptoms of menopause. Alfalfa has isoflavones similar to soy that mimic estrogen effects to protect bone mass. Alfalfa must be taken daily at each meal in order to be effective against bone loss.
The natural Progesterone Cream Therapy as a Treatment
Made famous by Oprah, and Drs. Northrup and Lee, the most popular of all alternative therapies. Suzanne Somers uses it but calls it bioidentical hormones. The progesterone cream can be bought over the counter, but it is also available at a compounding pharmacy. Many women have low testosterone and have it added to the formula.
Osteoporosis Treatment: Find One The is Safe and Effective
