Although osteoporosis cannot be reversed, there are ways to treat it. There are many steps a person can take in order to ensure that their osteoporosis does not take over their life. There are certain medications a person can take, as well as lifestyle changes they can make in order to treat their osteoporosis. It is important to talk to your doctor about any treatments for osteoporosis, because there are so many different ways to treat this disease. The different medications have different times to take them, and different amounts to take compared to other osteoporosis medications. With the different lifestyle treatments, you have to make sure that you do not hurt yourself in the process of treatment. If you are getting treatment for your osteoporosis, you are taking a step in the right direction for overall bone health.
Bisphosphonates are the most common type of drug prescribed for osteoporosis. They are a class of drugs that prevent the loss of bone mass. The most common types of this medication are called Actonel, Binosto, Boniva and Fosamax. These medicines are also available in generic brands. These work by inhibiting cells that break down bone and also slow down bone loss. Actonel, Binosto and Fosamax are usually taken once a week, while Boniva is taken once a month. You need to make sure that you take these medicines correctly, because if taken incorrectly, they can lead to ulcers in the esophagus. So, if someone else you know is taking mediations more or less frequently than you, do not think you are doing something wrong. You are probably just taking different medications.
Diet and nutrition is vital in ensuring bone health. The milk commercials that have been on TV for a long time saying to drink your milk to build strong bones are actually correct. Adults who are 19-50 years of age should get at least 1,000 mg of calcium each day, while adults over the age of 50 should get 1,200 mg/day. Women take in only half to a third as much calcium through their diet. They are also more susceptible to osteoporosis, so women need to take in more calcium each day. Women can take calcium supplements, but it is recommended that they get their calcium from food and drinks. If you have osteoporosis, you should be eating foods such as: salmon, tofu, nonfat milk, broccoli and low-fat yogurt.
There are other ways to maintain bone health if you have osteoporosis. You should avoid phosphorus-rich foods. These foods can include soft drinks, red meats, and any foods with phosphate food additives. You should also avoid large amounts of alcohol and caffeine, because they are thought to reduce the amount of calcium absorbed by the body.
Another way to treat osteoporosis is through exercise. People who sit for excessive amounts of time are more likely do have problems with osteoporosis. People who exercise often by doing weight-bearing exercises can help reduce bone loss and help prevent further damage to the bones. Weight-bearing exercises put stress on the bones, and those are the ones that people should be doing in order to treat osteoporosis.
People who have osteoporosis have a lot of options for treatments. Whether it is through medication, a change in diet, or the addition of exercise, osteoporosis can be treated, and you can prevent further bone damage for many years to come.