Osteoporosis Treatment — Without Estrogen

Drugs called bisphosphonates has become the new mainstay treatment for postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Taking just one pill a week, or even one a month, may prevent, slow or stop the breakdown and progress of this bone-thinning condition.
Bisphosphonates work by slowing the breakdown and reabsorption of old bone, an ongoing process that accelerates as estrogen levels fall during the first few years after menopause. By slowing the process, bisphosphonates help preserve bone density and reduce the risk of fractures.
Bisphosphonates available to treat osteoporosis include alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva) and risedronate (Actonel).

Patients should talk with a doctor about the best ways to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

7 myths about osteoporosis

•  MYTH: Only women get osteoporosis
  In fact, roughly 2 million men suffer from osteoporosis, accounting for 20 percent of those diagnosed with the disease.
• MYTH: Osteoporosis is a normal part of aging
  It is a fact that you lose bone density with aging,But you should continue to have good bone strength, and you should not develop osteoporosis.
• MYTH: Osteoporosis is only a concern for the elderly
  It is never too early to begin thinking about strong bones. Your bones begin building density from infancy through young adulthood. Most people have reached maximum bone density by age 35. If maximum bone density is not achieved during that time, you will be at risk for developing osteoporosis
• MYTH: Osteoporosis is strictly hereditary
  While women with a family history of osteoporosis are at an increased risk of developing the disease, not having a family history does not mean that you are immune to having this condition. Everyone is susceptible. However, there are several factors that can make an individual more likely to develop osteoporosis.Certain kidney diseases, vitamin D deficiency, some hormonal diseases such as some thyroid disorders, Cushing’s syndrome, individuals who are treated with steroids for certain medical conditions, and certain types of cancer can contribute to osteoporosis.
• MYTH: Broken bones are the only way to tell if you have osteoporosis
  Because osteoporosis has no symptoms, most people are not aware that they have it until something happens, like a bone fracture. However, this is not the only indicator of the disease. Even people who don’t have broken bones may develop osteoporosis. Many people may not even know they had a broken bone, and they may develop a change in their posture or a loss in height. To help determine whether bone loss has begun, it is important to get a bone density test every few years, especially for women who have entered menopause. The most common method of measuring bone density is a DEXA scan, which is a painless X-ray of your hip and spine.
• MYTH: Osteoporosis cannot be prevented
  Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence is the best defense against developing osteoporosis later in life. Adults can take steps too to lower their risk of developing the disease. In order to prevent osteoporosis, it’s very important that one has adequate nutrition, good calcium intake, exercise, and adequate vitamin D supplementation.Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, lifting weights and dancing are the best for building strong bones. People who already have osteoporosis should avoid these exercises, as they increase the risk of breaking a bone. Calcium intake is very important, too. Douyon recommends calcium supplementation throughout the entire lifespan, especially for women. Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake also will lower your chances of developing osteoporosis.
• MYTH: Only osteoporosis medications can prevent future bone loss
  The FDA has approved certain medications to prevent and/or treat the disease. Most of the drugs inhibit the cells that break down bone, and one actually stimulates the growth of new bone. Unfortunately, these drugs haven’t been available for very long, so their long-term effects are not known and people should not rely on them alone.

New medicine for osteoporosis

Scientists from the USA and Great Britain inform on successful end of tests of a new medicine for osteoporosis which needs to be entered once a year. Scale research has shown, that application of a preparation for the women with menopause, reduces risk of fractures of bones dangerous to a life on 40 %.
Osteoporosis – age disease which leads to depression of density of osteal substance and the increased fragility of bones. Fractures of large bones, first of all femoral, are especially dangerous to elderly patients. According to the British statistics, one of five patients with such fracture perishes from accompanying complications and infections within several months after a trauma.
Modern medicines for an osteoporosis are calculated on regular, daily or weekly reception, therefore their efficiency often decreases because of an indiscipline of patients.
The new preparation , which active substance is a zoledronic acid, acts an extent of 12 months after a unitary intravenous injection. The previous researches of a preparation have shown, that its{his} application leads to restoration of osteal mass. The new tests, proceeded three years, should show, that the medicine really reduces risk of fractures of bones.
In research it has been involved 8000 women . Within three years the participant have three injections contained 5 mg of a zoledronic acid.
As a result, among patients has been 70 percent reduction of risk of fractures of spinal column.
Frequency of fractures of a femur has decreased on 41 %, frequency of other, less dangerous fractures – on 25 %.