How Osteoporosis is Treated

Our bones are a critical component of our bodies – without them, we cannot do most functions. Unfortunately, over time, our bones lose mass, which can make them weaker and more prone to fractures. Our bones are not hollow – they have bone mass within them that gives them strength.

It is perfectly normal to lose some bone mass as you age. Your bones will not be as dense at age 50 as they were at 20. However, if you lose too much bone mass, it can be a serious problem because it can lead to hallowing of the bones.

This condition is called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis occurs when new bone mass does not replace the weaker, old bone mass as it deteriorates. The result is weaker and more fragile bones that are highly suspectable to fractures.

Treatment

Osteoporosis treatment goes hand in hand with the reason for its development. If your osteoporosis is caused or exasperated by other health issues, your treatment will focus on addressing those health issues so they have less impact on your bone health. Here are some ways doctors treat osteoporosis:

• Hormone Therapy Imbalanced hormones can cause or exasperate osteoporosis. For example, when women have lower levels of estrogen during menopause or men have a reduction in testosterone as they age, their risk of osteoporosis increases because these hormones are important for strong bones. Individuals with an overactive thyroid have more bone loss than others. Too much thyroid hormone causes your bones to lose mass at a faster rate than normal. Doctors recommend controlling your hormone levels to reduce the negative effects they could have on your bone health. Treatments can include hormone therapy to restore estrogen and testosterone levels to normal levels or controlling the overactive thyroid through medication.
• Vitamin Supplements & Dietary Changes Osteoporosis can also develop due to dietary issues. When you have low calcium intake or an eating disorder, your body doesn’t absorb the right amount of nutrients. Calcium and nutrients are crucial for healthy bones. To combat this, your doctor can prescribe vitamin supplements and guide you on what you should eat to ensure you get the right nutrients that your body needs for good bone health.
• Bone Density Medications If your osteoporosis is caused by issues you cannot control or manage (such as genetics, family history, etc.), your doctor will recommend controlling your bone loss through medications. There are different types of medications that can help manage osteoporosis. The primary jobs of these medications are to increase bone density production and decrease bone mass loss. The medications include biophosphonates, monoclonal antibody medications, teriparatide, abaloparatide, and romosozumab.

Not everyone with osteoporosis will find benefit with the same treatments. If you have osteoporosis, your doctor will work with you to determine the severity of your condition and recommend treatments that will best suit your situation.

Osteoporosis Treatment in St. Peters and O’Fallon, Missouri

If you are in search of a highly qualified and experienced orthopedic physician for your health needs, contact the experts at Advanced Bone & Joint. Our dedicated team would love to help you get better. To make an appointment, call (636) 229-4222 or request an appointment online.