2 minute read
Ask the Expert
Living with your bonesOSTEOPOROSIS CAN BE TREATED
Written by Marc Stewart of Heritage Health
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Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. For some people, this process fails. When that happens, bones become weak and brittle.
This condition means a fall or mild stress on the body, even coughing, could result in a broken bone.
The bone disease is called osteoporosis and it affects nearly 10 million Americans. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, another 44 million people in the United States have low bone density, which means they are at risk for developing it.
“Osteoporosis is a common but treatable disease,” said Dr. Anthony Rehil-Crest, Chief Clinical Officer for Heritage Health. “Our aim in treatment is to prevent a fracture or broken bone. In the elderly, a fracture can sometimes take away a person’s independence because
of the long recovery time and disability that follows. So I like to tell my patients that the reason we treat them for osteoporosis is to keep them as independent and active for as long as possible.”
Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. The bone disease cannot be reversed or cured, but there are ways to help rebuild or slow bone loss.
“The goal of treatment for osteoporosis is to decrease the risk of a broken bone,” says Rehil-Crest. “The first thing they can do is to be active. Regular exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise (ex. walking, jogging, dancing, stair climbing, Tai Chi) can slow down the bone loss that comes with osteoporosis.”
Rehil-Crest also recommends people eat foods high in calcium and vitamin D because they are essential nutrients for bone health.
Smoking cigarettes is another significant risk factor for developing osteoporosis and worsening bone loss.
How do you treat osteoporosis?
“Osteoporosis is treated differently depending on the severity,” says Rehil-Crest. “There are several medications that we use to treat osteoporosis along with dietary supplements like calcium and vitamin D. These medicines aim to decrease the chance that a patient will break a bone. Usually, the first medicines that we try are bisphosphonates. If bisphosphonates are not enough or if they cause side- effects, then there are other medicines we can try.”
“Decrease your risk of falling,” he says. “Make sure there is appropriate lighting in your house, get rid of tripping hazards, wear comfortable shoes with rubber soles and wear corrective lenses if your vision is poor.”
What else should people know about osteoporosis?
“All women 65 years and older should be screened for osteoporosis,” says Rehil-Crest. “Younger women and some men may also be screened for osteoporosis if they have certain risk factors; they should check with their doctor to see if screening is appropriate.”
