Osteoporosis: A Silent Disease

Osteoporosis Risk Factors

Risk factors include but are not limited to:

• Relatively small, thin females (especially those who are post-menopausal_

• Caucasian or Asian descent
• Advanced age
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Low calcium diet
• Use of the following medications: steroids (e.g. prednisone), some anti-seizure drugs, excess thyroid hormone
• Low testosterone levels in men
• Cigarette smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Malabsorption problems (e.g. celiac disease)

Osteoporosis Treatment

If you are found to have osteoporosis, treatment consists of:

• getting adequate calcium (1500mg/day through calcium supplements or food)
• adequate vitamin D (typically 400 IU per day which is found in most multi-vitamins though your doctor may recommend a higher dose)
• avoid smoking and excessive alcohol

Weight bearing exercise such as weight training or even walking is also helpful.

Osteoporosis Medications

Medications which are available to improve bone density or prevent further loss of bone include:

• Miacalcin nasal spray (calcitonin)
• Evista (raloxifene)
• estrogen
• Bisphosphonates including weekly Actonel (risedronate) and Fosamax(alendronate), as well as the new monthly preparation, Boniva (ibandronate).
• Forteo (teriparatide) is an injectable treatment reserved for patients with significant osteoporosis.