Posts Tagged ‘Osteoporosis’
Treatment of osteoporosis
The main causes are a drop in estrogen levels in women during menopause and decreased testosterone in men. Women, especially those over 50, get osteoporosis more often than men.
Researchers estimate that about 20% of American women over age 50 have osteoporosis and 30% have osteopenia (low bone density abnormal) that may eventually lead to osteoporosis if not treated. From these figures, researchers estimate that 50% of women over age 50 will suffer a hip fracture, wrist, or vertebra (bones of the spine).
White women, especially those with a family history of osteoporosis, have a higher than average risk of developing the disease. Also, are identified as risk factors: cigarette smoking, the eating disorders, low body weight, low calcium diet, high alcohol consumption, early menopause, absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea) and the use of certain medications such as steroids and anticonvulsants.
The treatment of all types of osteoporosis include calcium supplements and vitamin D, an exercise program appropriate for the patient, change in lifestyle to reduce risk factors and medications.
Medicines.
* Bisphosphonates: alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate
* Hormone replacement therapy: estrogen, estrogen-gestagen
* Tibolone
* Raloxifene
* Calcitonin
* Vitamin D, Vitamin D3 activates
Choosing a drug requires the patient characteristics, disease and our goals in the management of this disease. We can say that based on evidence based medicine there are some recommendations.
Bisphosphonates: These are first-line medicine in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis prevention and treatment of steroid-induced osteoporosis and osteoporosis in men. Read the rest of this entry »