Physiotherapist Jason Lee answers Glenda’s question about the most up-to-date osteoporosis treatments. Do you know what they are?
Q. Glenda
I want to know the most up-to-date treatment for osteoporosis.
A.
The most current treatments for osteoporosis include prescribed medicines and implementing habits to decrease your chances of fracture and loss of bone tissue.
If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, your health professional is likely to prescribe calcium and vitamin D supplements, as well as exercise to help improve your bone health. However, it is also important to address lifestyle factors that have an impact your bones. These include quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake.
Many medicines are available to treat osteoporosis. They are grouped into different categories based on their active ingredient. Nevertheless, these medicines mostly focus on making cells (osteoclasts) that breakdown bone less active, while allowing cells (osteoblasts) that form new bone to remain active. This aims to reduce bone loss and gradually increase bone strength over time. So these medicines may need to be taken for many years.
Using the right osteoporosis medicine for you is crucial, so discuss your treatment options with your doctor. They will recommend a particular medicine based on your medical history and severity of osteoporosis.
Besides taking medicines, it is important to exercise at least three times a week. Your exercise program should be a mix of weight-bearing (with supervised progressive resistance training), balance and mobility exercises.
It is best to strengthen specific muscle groups around the areas that have osteoporosis, including the hip, leg and spine muscles. It is also important that these exercises be performed consistently and regularly. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re at risk of osteoporosis, then why not read Jason’s earlier article, ‘Osteoporosis – are you at risk?‘
Jason Lee APAM
B. Physiotherapy
Jason is happy to answer any questions you may have, simply send an email to [email protected]
