Osteoporosis Treatment

Osteoporosis treatment is often three-fold, concentrating on the areas of exercise, nutrition, and several different medications (Boniva and Fosamax, for example). By addressing these three components, you may slow down bone loss associated with the disease.

 
 

An Overview of Osteoporosis Treatment

A comprehensive osteoporosis treatment program deals with:
 
  • Proper nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Safety issues to prevent falls that may result in fractures.
     
In addition, your physician may prescribe medication as part of your osteoporosis treatment to slow or stop bone loss, increase bone density, and reduce fracture risk.
 

Nutrition as an Osteoporosis Treatment

The foods we eat contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients that help keep our bodies healthy. All of these nutrients are needed in balanced proportion. In particular, calcium and vitamin D are needed for strong bones and for your heart, muscles, and nerves to function properly.
 
(Click Osteoporosis Prevention for the recommended daily amounts of calcium.)
 

Exercise as an Osteoporosis Treatment

Exercise is an important component of an osteoporosis prevention and treatment program. Exercise not only improves your bone health, but it also increases muscle strength, coordination, and balance, and leads to better overall health. While exercise is good for someone with osteoporosis, it should not put any sudden or excessive strain on your bones. As extra insurance against fractures, your doctor can recommend specific exercises to strengthen and support your back.
 
(Osteoporosis Treatment Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD