Tuesday, 29 July 2014

Can You Reverse Bone Loss in the Vertebrae?

If you have lost bone mass in your vertebrae and have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you are at a higher risk of fracturing a bone. This condition needs to be addressed because a broken bone can land you in a nursing home and rob you of your independence. It is important to receive the right medical care to help stop and if possible reverse bone loss. A combination of lifestyle changes and medication can help you to manage this disease.

Step 1
Bone loss can be stopped and sometimes reversed with the right medication, such as bisphosphonates. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, bisphosphonates are antiresorptive medications. They slow the natural process of bone loss that your body goes through to create new bone. NOF states, "When people first start taking these medications, they stop losing bone as quickly as before, but still make new bone at a normal pace. Therefore, bone density may increase." There are various types and dosages of bisphosphonates available so you and your doctor will need to decide which treatment is best for you.
Step 2
Use hormone replacement therapy. Estrogen is a hormone that helps your bones stay strong, but your level of estrogen decreases with age. Taking estrogen alone or combined with progesterone can slow and possibly reverse bone loss. In addition, taking calcitonin may be useful. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, calcitonin ".. is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that slows bone loss and reduces the risk of spine fractures. It has no serious side effects." Another hormone medication is Teriparatide which is a form of human parathyroid hormone that has also been shown to improve bone density. The websites below provide detailed information on all of the available medication options.

No comments:

Post a Comment