Treatment of Osteoporosis: Strengthening and Rebuilding Bones

Osteoporosis is a condition that affects aging adults, especially women over fifty. The treatment of osteoporosis focuses on restoring bone density and strength. Osteoporosis is an abnormal reduction in bone density caused by loss of mineral content, mainly calcium. Osteoporosis causes brittleness in the bones, which can lead to back pain, stress fractures of the spine, and fracturing of other bones.

Because the treatment of osteoporosis is not fully effective, prevention of the disease is crucial. Exercise, a healthy diet, and calcium supplementation all play important roles in building and maintaining healthy bones. It is difficult to get all of the calcium our bodies need naturally through diet alone, so supplementation is critical - especially for women over fifty. Many supplements include Vitamin D as well as calcium, as Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Weight-bearing exercise helps keep bones dense and can minimize or prevent osteoporosis.

What happens if you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis? Treatment of osteoporosis includes many of the same steps used to prevent the development of the painful and crippling disease.

What is The Best Treatment of Osteoporosis?

Your doctor may have diagnosed osteoporosis with a bone density scan, or by assessing a fractured bone that had no determinable cause. Once you have been diagnosed, the treatment of osteoporosis includes a three-pronged approach that will be tailored specifically to your individual situation. The first goal in the treatment of osteoporosis is to build bone strength back up through weight-bearing exercise. The exercise regime will be varied depending on your existing activity level and your abilities.

The second foundation of the treatment of osteoporosis is medication. A common medication used for women with osteoporosis for years was hormone replacement therapy, which builds up the body’s estrogen level. Estrogen protects and strengthens bones. With the recent research showing other dangers of hormone replacement therapy, new medications are being used successfully to counteract the effects of osteoporosis.

The final weapon in the treatment of osteoporosis is calcium supplementation. As the body ages, it becomes less able to absorb calcium. Supplementation ensures a consistent and appropriate level of calcium in the body to help rebuild the bones’ mineral content.