Overview
Incidence
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Evaluation
Treatment
calcium
drugs
bisphosphonates
questions for doctor
specialist
Home Care
diet
taking control
warning signs
Prevention
Outlook
Complications
Underlying Cause
Anatomy
Weak Bones Prevention
Prevention of osteoporosis includes:
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Follow an exercise plan developed with your doctor.
- Walking is the best option
- Weight loss if you are overweight
- Take prescribed medications as directed.
- Take calcium supplements:
- As directed by your doctor
- Take a vitamin D supplement:
- Twice a week
- Detect osteoporosis early:
- See your doctor for an osteoporosis evaluation if you are over 60 years old.
- Bone mineral density testing
Those who should have bone mineral density testing include:
- All women more than 65 years old, regardless of risk factors.
- Post-menopausal women with at least one of the additional osteoporosis risk factors other than menopause.
- Post-menopausal women who have had a wrist fracture, spine fracture, or hip fracture.
- Those with primary hyperparathyroidism.
- Those with abnormalities of the spine:
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Kyphosis: spine is curved forward
- Scoliosis: spine curves from one side to the other side
- Those who take daily corticosteroids.
Continue to Weak Bones Outlook
Last Updated: Dec 22, 2010 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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PubMed Weak Bones References
- Elliot-Gibson V, Bogoch ER, Jamal SA, Beaton DE. Practice patterns in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis after a fragility fracture: a systematic review. Osteoporos Int. 2004 Oct;15(10):767-78. [15258724 ]
- Geusens PP. Review of guidelines for testing and treatment of osteoporosis. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2003 Sep;1(2):59-65. [16036066]
- Lane NE, Kelman A. A review of anabolic therapies for osteoporosis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2003;5(5):214-22. [12932280]
- Lin JT, Lane JM. Osteoporosis: a review. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004 Aug;(425):126-34. [15292797]
- Moyad MA. Osteoporosis: a rapid review of risk factors and screening methods. Urol Oncol. 2003 Sep-Oct;21(5):375-9. [14670548]