Osteoporosis

Any bone can be affected, but of special concern are fractures of the hip and spine. A hip fracture almost always requires hospitalization and major surgery. It can impair a person's ability to walk unassisted and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or even death. Spinal or vertebral fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity.

Millions of Americans are at risk. While women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease, men also suffer from osteoporosis.

What is osteoporosis?
The inside of a bone consists of a strong mesh made of protein and minerals (particularly calcium). This mesh is living tissue that is constantly being renewed by a process called bone turnover. Old, worn out bone is broken down and absorbed by the body while, at the same time, new bone tissue is created from fresh protein and minerals.

Prevention
People who reach a high peak bone density when they are young are less likely to develop osteoporosis. Bone density can be boosted by a healthy diet and regular exercise, particularly in people under 35. This means prevention needs to begin at a young age.

Treatment for osteoporosis
There are now a number of effective treatments that can help prevent fractures and increase bone density. These include:

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This prescription-only treatment aims to restore oestrogen to a pre-menopausal level. In the short term, it is taken to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Small doses over several years also reduce osteoporosis. HRT may also help reduce the risk of heart disease. Some women may experience breast tenderness and nausea as side-effects of the treatment. HRT can also increase the risk of developing breast cancer and uterine cancer, but the risk remains low.

There are over 30 forms of HRT available in pills, patches, under-the-skin implants or gels.

Bisphosphonates are non-hormonal medicines which work by blocking the break down of bone. There are three bisphosphonates available in the UK namely, alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel) and risedronate (Actonel).

A type of medicine called selective oestrogen–receptor modulator or SERM is a synthetic hormone replacement which works by copying the effects of oestrogen on the bones. This type of drug reduces the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, but appears to not increase the risk of breast or endometrial cancers. The SERM currently available in the UK for osteoporosis is raloxifene (Evista).

Vitamin D and calcium supplements are an effective treatment to reduce bone loss in the elderly.

Calcitriol is an active form of vitamin D given to post-menopausal women who have osteoporosis in the spine. Calcitriol improves the absorption of calcium from the gut.

Calcitonin is a hormone made by the thyroid gland (a hormone-producing gland in the neck), which blocks the action of the cells that are responsible for breaking down bone. It is only available in injection form.

Testosterone can be used to treat men who are deficient in this hormone and can increase their bone density. It is available in injection or implant form.

Osteoporosis

Here is a list of common Osteoporosis drugs to buy at 24/7 Pharmacy online drugstore:

Osteoporosis: Actonel 35mg, ACTONEL weekly, Risedronic acid / Fosamax /