{"id":27924,"date":"2019-12-02T12:19:10","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T19:19:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=27924"},"modified":"2023-06-23T10:47:51","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T16:47:51","slug":"guidelines-for-treating-osteoporosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/guidelines-for-treating-osteoporosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Guidelines for treating osteoporosis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Exercise, calcium and vitamin D are important factors in helping to prevent osteoporosis. Photo by Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Osteoporosis<\/a>, a condition in which bones become thinner and more porous, is a \u201csilent\u201d disease: you\u2019re unlikely to experience symptoms until you have that first fracture.<\/p>\n

That makes screening and treatment especially important. But recommendations can be confusing.<\/p>\n

Dr. Jennifer Kempers<\/a>, an internal medicine physician in Steamboat Springs and a member of the medical staff at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center<\/a>, was one of several local doctors who recently worked together to review and align around screening and treatment options. Kempers outlines what you need to know about osteoporosis below.<\/p>\n

Why does it happen?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Healthy bone isn\u2019t solid \u2013 it actually looks like a honeycomb. But with osteoporosis, the spaces become much larger, either because bone tissue is not replaced quickly enough, or too much gets absorbed.<\/p>\n

An estimated one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the U.S., the annual cost of treating osteoporosis is estimated at more than $16 billion,\u201d Kempers said. \u201cThe main bones at risk are the femur and spine, which are bigger bones and result in bigger issues when they are fractured.\u201d<\/p>\n

How is it diagnosed?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Osteoporosis is diagnosed through a bone density screening, which helps doctors classify patients in one of three categories: normal, low bone mass (also known as osteopenia) or osteoporosis.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be surprised if you\u2019re in the low bone mass category. \u201cThe majority of postmenopausal women fall in that osteopenia category,\u201d Kempers said.<\/p>\n

Women should start screenings at age 65, while men should begin at age 70.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou hear about osteoporosis most commonly with women, but men are also at risk and should be screened,\u201d Kempers said.<\/p>\n

Earlier screenings may be recommended for people who have other risk factors, such as entering menopause early, a personal or family history of fractures, low intake of calcium or vitamin D, excessive alcohol use and smoking.<\/p>\n

Prevention and Treatment Basics<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To help prevent osteoporosis, as well as to treat osteoporosis and osteopenia, adults should consume between 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium \u2013 a component for healthy bones \u2013 from food and supplements each day.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe used to recommend taking a 1,200 to 1,600 mg supplement, but recent studies show that may increase calcification of the arteries,\u201d Kempers said.<\/p>\n

A vitamin D supplement of 800 to 1,000 IU daily helps ensure that the calcium is absorbed.<\/p>\n

Be sure to incorporate weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, hiking and jogging, into your workout regimen and maintain core strength and balance.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep muscles strong and work on your balance to prevent falls in the first place,\u201d Kempers said.<\/p>\n

When medication is needed<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To treat and prevent osteoporosis, medication may be recommended. Bisphosphonates, such as Fosamax, are often a good place to start. \u201cThey\u2019ve been around the longest, and there\u2019s great data on their performance,\u201d Kempers said. \u201cFosamax shows a 50% fracture reduction at three years.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, there are side effects, including irritation to the esophagus and breakdown of the jaw bones. Your doctor will determine whether it\u2019s best to continue or stop treatment after five to ten years, as atypical bone remodeling may be seen at that time.<\/p>\n

Another option is the RANK\/RANKL inhibitor, which is given as an injection every six months. While it helps prevent fractures, it has similar side effects as bisphosphonates. And if injections are stopped, bones quickly revert to their previous condition.<\/p>\n

Estrogen therapy increases bone density, but since it can also increase risk of cancer, blood clots and cardiovascular issues, it\u2019s not a first-line treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cTalk with your doctor about the options, and the risks versus benefits of these medications,\u201d Kempers said. \u201cAnd remember that recommendations can change. It\u2019s not a perfect science.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget that a healthy lifestyle makes a difference.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest message of hope I give my patients is to stay active, prevent falls in the first place and eat right,\u201d Kempers said. \u201cA pill is obviously not the end-all-be-all answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This article first appeared in the Steamboat Pilot & Today.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become thinner and more porous, is a \u201csilent\u201d disease: you\u2019re unlikely to experience symptoms until you have that first fracture. That makes screening and treatment especially important. But recommendations can be confusing. Dr. Jennifer Kempers, an internal medicine physician in Steamboat Springs and a member of the medical staff […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2163,"featured_media":27925,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[271,253,1046,2474,4097,351,9187,2518,4349,212],"class_list":["post-27924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-living","tag-exercise","tag-health-and-fitness","tag-health-screening","tag-hiking","tag-preventive-care","tag-primary-care","tag-readysetco","tag-uchealth-yampa-valley-medical-center","tag-wellness","tag-womens-care"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGuidelines for treating osteoporosis - UCHealth Today<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become thinner and more porous. 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