How Much Do You Know About Osteoporosis?
Posted by Clark on November 3, 2009
The following article is reprinted with permission from the author, Douglas Penta, MD, an OB/GYN physician in the Boston, MA area. Dr. Penta publishes his blog to further educate patients with emphasis on Women’s Health.
How Much Do You Know About Osteoporosis?
In the past, osteoporosis received relatively little attention among medical professionals because there was so little that could be done to treat this condition. It has always been known how serious osteoporosis is (hip fractures, need for nursing home care etc.) but there was not much that could be done to change the progression of the disease process.
Over recent years there have been substantial advancements in the treatment of osteoporosis. There are now medications that have been proven to be effective at actually increasing bone mass. Furthermore, there has been substantial progress in the evaluation and monitoring of the condition.
In the past, women’s health care providers could only give their patients the following recommendations to manage/prevent osteoporosis:
- Vitamin D and calcium supplements
- sun exposure and exercise
- hormone replacement supplements, if appropriate, based on your medical history
Now, with the development of bone-building medications and the advanced technology to monitor bone density, the management of osteoporosis is approached very differently as the focus is no longer on prevention, but instead, on treatment.
Like so many other medical illnesses, there are no signs or symptoms of this disease until it is manifested by clinical problems resulting from its long term effects (spontaneous fractures etc.). As a result, compliance with treatment programs for osteoporosis are poor, as there is no perceived benefit to the patient until it is too late to make a significant difference in their prognosis.
Be proactive when it comes to learning about osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor about bone health. If you have a family history of osteoporosis it is even more important that you address this topic at an early age.
Years ago, it didn’t seem to matter whether this problem was addressed as there was so little that could be done. I hope I am helping women (and men) realize that this is definitely not the case today.
I simply want to raise awareness about osteoporosis. There are extensive resources available on the management of osteoporosis. Check out the many government-sponsored health organizations for more information.
Douglas Penta MD
It is a good idea to continue taking nutritional supplements specifically for bone and joint support especially, if you have a family history of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. The FDA has not determined the specific benefits of these supplements; however, there are many studies that show proper nutritional intake may help slow the onset and/or minimize the negative effects of osteoporosis.
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any dietary supplement regime.
