V. Bone Loss Questions Answered. Plus, V. Possible Treatments

i. How can I keep my bones healthy?

Making sure your calcium and Vitamin D intake is adequate, maintaining a healthy body mass, engaging in weight bearing exercise and preventing falls to decrease the risk of a fracture all help to keep bones healthy.

ii. What are risk factors for weak bones?

Women are more likely to develop osteopenia/osteoporosis than men especially those who have a small body frame as they tend to be at greater risk for lower bone mass. In addition, bone loss occurs as we get older. Having a family history such as a parent or sibling with osteoporosis also puts you at a greater risk as does race. White and Asian descent have a higher risk of bone loss than Afro-American descent.

iii. Can hormones affect bone density?

Estrogen levels drop in menopause and this accelerates bone loss. Thyroid abnormalities can negatively impact bone strength, parathyroid overactivity can cause bones to deteriorate and adrenal glucocorticoids can cause bones to weaken.

iv. How is Osteoporosis diagnosed?

A bone density is a quick and painless x-ray that is performed by a machine called a DEXA. The DEXA test looks at the density of bone in the hip and spine.

v. When should I have a bone density?

Women should have a bone density by age 65. If she has other underlying risk factors then it should be done earlier. The interval between studies depends on the prior reading. In other words, if she has some loss then it should be repeated at shorter intervals and if the bone density does not demonstrate loss, then it can be done less frequently (every 3-5 years).

 V. Treatments for Osteoporosis

The goals of treatment are to slow or stop further bone loss and to prevent a fracture and treatment includes proper nutrition, exercise, reducing toxins in the body, fall and fracture prevention and as a last resort medications. 

Here are V. to discuss with your physician:

I. Bisphosphonates slows the rate of loss which can reduce the likelihood of a fracture

ii. SERMS have an estrogenic like effect on bones and can therefore be used in the treatment of osteoporosis

iii. RANKL helps to slow down the loss of bone

iv. Calcitonin and PTH are often used in those that cannot tolerate the other medications or have already had a fracture

v. Hormones including estrogen and progestin are approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in some women

Talk to your physician about potential treatments and medications for Osteoporosis. Verbena does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is not a medical provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.