About 200 million people worldwide suffer from osteoporosis, a condition characterized by low bone density and increased risk for bone fractures. Women and the elderly are at a higher risk of developing it.
Statistics show that one in three women over 50 and one in five men will develop fractures due to osteoporosis. Depending on age and overall health, a fracture can lead to weeks, even months, of medical care. In the elderly, severe complications often occur after a fracture, and one in five elderly adults die within a year after a hip fracture caused by osteoporosis.
Often, the early stages of osteoporosis come without any symptoms. However, even if you’ve already lost bone density, there are ways you can prevent fractures and build more cell bones.
At Delta Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, we want you to be aware of some of the new ways you can prevent these undesirable scenarios. Keep reading for a short guide on lifestyle measures and the latest treatment options available for osteoporosis.
Bone loss density is more prevalent in developed countries. This could be a result of an increase in jobs that don’t require much physical activity and a diet low in calcium and vitamin D.
Other risk factors include diabetes, smoking, amenorrhea (the absence of menstrual periods), and chemotherapy. Women with low estrogen are also at risk of developing osteoporosis.
Things that decrease your chances of developing osteoporosis are weight-bearing exercise, a healthy diet that includes optimal levels of calcium and vitamin D, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
Taking supplements and making healthy lifestyle changes can help fight osteoporosis. However, in more severe cases, medications are still needed to prevent complications.
One of the treatment options we offer at Delta Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is Prolia®, a drug designed to prevent bone density loss in people with a high risk for fractures. The active substance, denosumab, works by slowing down the rate at which cell bones break down.
Long-term studies suggest that Prolia is effective at preventing fractures and comes with very few side effects. Plus, because Prolia is a shot administered twice per year, patients who use the drug don’t have to deal with potential GI issues due to ingesting pills.
Another medication option we offer is Evenity®, a shot that accelerates the rate at which new bone cells form. However, if you have heart disease, Evenity may not be the right drug for you.
Find out if you’re a good candidate for one of these new approaches to osteoporosis. Contact us to schedule an appointment. You can call either our West Memphis, Arkansas, or Collierville, Tennessee, office, or use the convenient online booking option.
