Generally, a condition like osteoporosis cannot be cured but its progression can be slowed down with the help of appropriate treatment and lifestyle habits. Medications can counter rapid bone loss and help in strengthening the existing bone tissues. Seeking treatment at the right time will reduce the risk of fractures due to bone loss.
The treatment methods for osteoporosis are as follows:
Medications
The condition can be managed very well with the help of medications. The medications delay bone loss and significantly reduce the chances of experiencing sudden fractures. Depending on the severity, age, gender, and other factors, your healthcare provider will prescribe some appropriate medications. According to the Mayo Clinic, the healthcare provider might prescribe the following types of medications for treating osteoporosis:
Bisphosphonates
These are the class of medications that treat osteoporosis. These are commonly prescribed for maintaining bone density and restoring bone strength. The effects of these medications may also give rise to some common side effects, such as abdominal pain, nausea, fever, headache, etc.
Denosumab injection
These are shots that prevent thinning of the bones. Denosumab is prescribed when other medications fail to work. It works by blocking certain receptors in the body and reducing the breakdown of bone. Some side effects of these shots are joint pain and muscle pain in the arms or legs.
Bone-building drugs
When the condition has caused severe damage and the bones are prone to easy fracture, then your healthcare provider might prescribe bone-building drugs that will facilitate the growth of new bones. These can be used in the form of medications or injections.
Hormone-related therapy
After a certain age, the hormones such as estrogen and testosterone start declining, which potentiates the risk of osteoporosis. During pre-menopausal and menopausal, the levels of estrogen drop drastically in females. They are more likely to develop osteoporosis than males because a female bone structure is typically smaller in comparison to males.
Exercise
To eliminate the risk of osteoporosis in the future, one must start taking measures very early on. You must do some weight-bearing exercises every day, which will strengthen your muscles and bones and improve bone density. Doing some exercises such as walking, running, weightlifting, yoga, etc. regularly will be beneficial for long-term bone health.
A combination of weight-bearing exercises and strength training activities for around 30 to 40 minutes daily will be great for bone health. Note that one mustn’t perform these exercises without asking a physical therapist. Some of these exercises might not be appropriate for all. The exercise routine must depend on the degree of damage caused due to bone loss.
If the damage is severe, then it is not safe to exercise, as the bones turn too brittle, which can get fractured easily. This is why one must plan workout sessions with a physical trainer and do exercises under their guidance to avoid any health harm because of osteoporosis.
Diet
Eating a healthy diet will obtain you with adequate nutrition to support bone health and enhance muscle strength to prevent the risk of damage due to bone loss. Diet has a necessary role in reducing the possibility of fractures. A proper diet offers you enough nutrients, such as proteins, minerals, vitamins, etc.
Calcium is an essential mineral that is needed by your body to build and maintain stronger bones. You must include more calcium-rich foods in your daily diet. Foods that are rich sources of calcium include – Leafy green vegetables, dairy products, spinach, kale, broccoli, soybeans, and calcium-fortified cereals.
Sun exposure
Exposing your body to sunlight for a few minutes regularly will help your body to synthesize vitamin D, which is an essential mineral that aids calcium absorption in the body. Your body manufactures its vitamin D due to sun exposure. Enough levels of vitamin D will get the calcium from the diet effectively absorbed in the body, which is needed for maintaining bone health.
According To the Healthline website, the best time of the day to get sunlight is during midday. During noon, your body can synthesize more vitamin D in less time. So, try to get out in the sun during noon for a few minutes.
No substance abuse
Various studies have concluded that chronic drinking during adolescence and the young adult phase increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. Such individuals experience drastic loss in bone density during the later stages of life. They might not be aware that their bones have become brittle and weaker, the only way they realize the degree of damage is when they suffer a sudden fracture.
Alcohol interferes with the absorption of calcium in the body. It disturbs the uptake of calcium in the body. Besides, chronic drinkers are prone to sudden falls under the influence of alcohol, which can potentiate their risk of getting fractures very easily.
Moreover, according to research done by the National Institutes of Health, smokers are also susceptible to osteoporosis. It can also give rise to bone-related disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and others.
Controlling lifestyle habits will reduce your risk of getting diagnosed with osteoporosis. If the lifestyle factors are failing to prevent bone damage then medications will certainly counter the bone density damage.