Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis Medications

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes fragile bones due to low bone mass, leading to an increased risk of fracture that can be diagnosed by a family physcian or a rheumatologist . Osteoporosis can worsen over time, often not causing any symptoms until someone suffers a fracture, often of the hip, wrist, shoulder or spine. Osteoporosis is more common in older women. While there is no exact cause of osteoporosis, risk factors include: • Genetics • Cigarette smoking • Lack of exercise • Bone loss due to menopause • Excessive alcohol consumption • Family history of osteoporosis • Lack of calcium and vitamin D • Rheumatoid arthritis Osteopenia is a condition that causes decreased bone density, but not enough to be classified as osteoporosis. Your doctor may still recommend some osteoporosis treatments, depending on your results and risk of fracture. The goal of osteoporosis treatment is to slow or prevent bone loss and reduce your risk of fracture and your local family physician can help with information. Generally, treatment involves osteoporosis medications such as: • Hormone therapy • Denosumab • Bisphosphonates • Parathyroid hormone (PTH) • Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) Other osteoporosis treatments include stopping alcohol and tobacco use, getting more exercise and increasing your intake of vitamin D and calcium for healthy bones.

Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider

• See an exercise specialist or fitness trainer if you need help creating a safe fitness plan.

• Work with a nutritionist or dietitian if you need help incorporating more vitamin D and calcium into your diet.

• Visit a massage therapist to discuss massage techniques for reducing pain due to osteoporosis and increasing relaxation.

• Consult with a physiotherapist about ways to strengthen your bones and muscles.

• If you’re unsteady on your feet or fall, talk to your healthcare provider about mobility aids that might help.

• Visit a massage therapist to discuss massage techniques for reducing pain due to osteoporosis and increasing relaxation.

• If you have osteoporosis risk factors, ask your physician about a bone density test to assess bone strength.

• Know your family health history. You’re at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis if there’s a family history of the disease.

• Talk to your physician and pharmacist about your osteoporosis medications and potential drug interactions.

• Stop smoking and drinking, or at least reduce your alcohol consumption.

• See your primary health provider regularly to monitor any changes in your bone density.

Preventing fractures in patients with Osteoporosis is the key to treatment and healthy long term outcomes. Adherence to medications is therefor important for patients when treating Osteoporosis.A rheumatologist is a physician who specializes in treating arthritis, autoimmune diseases, joint pain and osteoporosis. There are hundreds of types of these diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, joint pain, tendinitis and gout. In treating patients, a rheumatologist can educate patients on surgical treatment options, bone density testing, ankylosing spondylitis, back pain, sports injuries, arthritis nutrition, arthritis bracing, vasculitis, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile arthritis.