Osteoporotic drugs fight on bones

Osteoporosis affects over 44 million Americans and with an aging population more diagnoses are being made, particularly in the postmenopausal female. Osteopenia is considered the pre-osteoporotic stage. Osteoporosis tends not to present itself until the sufferer breaks a bone tripping over, or develops back pain due to a crush fracture of their vertebrae. Tests to diagnose osteoporosis are bone density test and x-rays. Medications to prevent the demineralization of bone include bisphosphonates, which increase the mineralization of bone thereby improving strength and durability, and estrogen for postmenopausal women. However, scientist have noted that prolonged use of high doses of bisphosphonates can have an adverse effect by decreasing the normal remodelling of bone, which results in slow healing and brittle bones. Yet the benefits of taking bisphosphonates far outweigh any adverse effects. Other methods to strengthen bones are to do weight bearing exercises and take calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Source: summary of medical news story as reported by Health & Fitness

Related Disease Topics:

• Osteoporosis
• Postmenopause
• Osteopenia
• Crush fracture
• Demineralization of bone

Related Symptom Topics:

• Back pain
• Slow healing
• Brittle bones

Article Source Details

About: Osteoporotic drugs fight on bones

Date: 12 July 2005

Source: Health & Fitness

URL: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/health_and_fitness/article/0,1299,DRMN_26_3919331,00.html

Related Medical Topics

This summary article refers to the following medical categories:

• Cause of back pain
• Cause of slow healing
• Cause of brittle bones
• Cause of osteoporosis
• Cause of postmenopause
• Cause of osteopenia
• Cause of crush fracture
• Cause of demineralization of bone
• Cause of bone pain
• Cause of bone fracture
• Cause of fracture
• Diagnosis
• Diagnosis and bone pain
• Diagnosis and bone fracture
• Diagnosis and back pain
• Diagnosis and slow healing
• Diagnosis and brittle bones
• Diagnosis and osteoporosis
• Diagnosis and postmenopause
• Diagnosis and osteopenia
• Diagnosis and crush fracture
• Diagnosis and demineralization of bone
• Diagnosis and bone density testing
• Diagnosis and bone x-ray
• Medication
• Medication and bisphosphonates
• Medication and osteoporosis
• Medication and osteopenia
• Medication and brittle bones
• Medication and vitamin D
• Medication and calcium
• Medication and bone remodeling
• Medication and bone strength
• Medication and slow bone healing
• Medication and broken bones
• Risk and postmenopausal
• Risk and osteoporosis
• Risk and osteopenia
• Risk and brittle bones
• Risk and bisphosphonates

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