Osteoporosis FAQ: Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bone loss occurs, so bones become weak and are more likely to break. This FAQ includes information about treatment, prevention, medications, symptoms, and causes.
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What Is Bone Loss
Bone loss occurs when bone resorption exceeds bone formation. Factors that may affect bone loss include diet, age, menopause, smoking, not exercising, and medications such as corticosteroids. Bone loss may be prevented by eating a high-calcium, high-vitamin D diet, exercising, not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and taking medications to prevent osteoporosis. -
Bone Fracture (Broken Bone)
Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the outside forces applied to the bone. Fractures can be open or closed. Types of fractures include: greenstick, spiral, comminuted, transverse, compound, or vertebral compression. Common fractures include: stress fracture, compression fracture, rib fracture, and skull fracture. Treatment depends upon the type of fracture. -
Exercise
Exercise has been shown to reduce one's risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce depression and anxiety. The Surgeon General recommends accumulating 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. -
Osteopenia
Osteopenia is a loss of bone density that is a precursor to osteoporosis. Typically, osteopenia causes no signs and symptoms. Exercise is one of the primary treatments for osteopenia. Other treatments include vitamin D and calcium supplementation. -
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to lose calcium and mass making them fragile, affects mostly post-menopausal women. Medications are available to slow or help prevent this process, including estrogen replacement therapy. It is possible to slow or even reverse osteoporosis, but often it becomes disabling. -
Osteoporosis and Calcium
Calcium is an important nutrient and is needed for many of the body's functions, including blood clotting and the proper function of the heart, muscles, and nerves. About 50%-60% of adults and only 10%-25% of adolescents in the U.S. get the recommended amount of calcium.
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Osteoporosis FAQ Topic Guide - Visuals
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Osteoporosis FAQ Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
IbandronateIbandronate is a bisphosphonate (bis FOS fo nayt) medicine that alters bone formation and breakdown in the body. This can slow bone loss and may help prevent...learn more »
TeriparatideTeriparatide is a man-made form of parathyroid hormone that exists naturally in the body. Teriparatide increases bone mineral density and bone strength, whic...learn more »
Zoledronic AcidZoledronic acid (sometimes called zoledronate) is a bisphosphonate (bis FOS fo nayt) medicine that alters bone formation and breakdown in the body. This can ...learn more »
RisedronateRisedronate is used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause, or steroid use. This medicine is for use when you have a high risk of bone fracture due to os...learn more »
AlendronateAlendronate is used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause, steroid use, or gonadal failure. This medicine is for use when you have a high risk of bone f...learn more »
Conjugated Estrogens And MedroxyprogesteroneEstrogen is a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is necessary for many processes in the body. Conjugated estrogens are a mixture of estro...learn more »
Calcitonin InjectionCalcitonin is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the thyroid gland...learn more »
EstropipateEstropipate is a form of estrogen, a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is necessary for many processes in the body...learn more »
Esterified EstrogensEstrogen is a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is necessary for many processes in the body...learn more »
Conjugated Estrogens (oral)Estrogen is a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is necessary for many processes in the body...learn more »
Estradiol TransdermalEstradiol is a form of estrogen, a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is necessary for many processes in the body...learn more »
Calcium CarbonateCalcium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods. Calcium is necessary for many normal functions of the body, especially bone formation and maintenance....learn more »
Osteoporosis FAQ Topic Guide – Related Topics
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