Osteoporosis
- What is it?
- Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become weak and brittle. Many suffering with osteoporosis bones are so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine
- Symptoms
- Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
- Loss of height over time
- A stooped posture
- A bone fracture that occurs much more easily than expected
- How is it diagnosed?
- If you or a physician suspect a diagnosis of Osteoporosis a low-level X-ray call a bone density scan can be completed to determine the proportion of minerals in your bones.
- How is it treated?
- Treatments for Osteoporosis includes the used of medication such as bisphosphonates including Alendronate (Fosamax),Risedronate (Actonel, Atelvia), Ibandronate (Boniva), and Zoledronic acid (Reclast); Hormone related therapies such as Raloxifene (Evista); Other Medications such as Denosumab (Prolia) or Teriparatide (Forteo).
- Lifestyle changes and home remedies as well as alternative medicine have also been used as treatment options.
