Conventional Treatments for Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis patients are treated with medicinal drugs as well as lifestyle changes that include dietary changes and specific exercises.
Some of the drugs that have known to have a positive effect for Osteoporosis patients are, grouped into two parts.
The first category of such drugs comprised of agents that are used to retard the speed of bone loss in the osteoporosis patient's body. These drugs referred to as "anti-resorption drugs" try to decrease the rate at which osteoclasts reabsorb bone. Antiresorptives include bisphosphonates, hormone replacement therapy, SERMs, and calcitonin. Bisphosphonates are the standard drugs used for osteoporosis. These drugs block resorption (bone break down) and so slow the rate of bone remodeling, but they cannot rebuild bone. In fact, because resorption and reformation occur naturally as a continuous process, blocking resorption may eventually also reduce bone formation.
The prescribed drugs of this group are-
- Estrogen
- Calcium and Vitamin D
- Designer Estrogens
- Biophosphonates
- Calcitonin
The second category of drugs used to treat Osteoporosis for bettering bone formation is called the "bone forming drugs". Anti-resorbers are the only FDA approved drugs that are used in the United States for this type of treatment. Drugs that rebuild bone are known as anabolics. The primary anabolic drug is low-dose parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is administered as injections. It is proving to be very effective in restoring bone and preventing fractions. PTH is still relatively new, and long-term effects are still unknown. Fluoride is another bone-building drug, but it has limitations and is not commonly used.
Other FDA-approved drugs to help prevent and/or treat osteoporosis include:
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Evista (generic name, raloxifene)
- Fosamax (generic name, alendronate)
- Miacalcin (generic name, calcitonin)
- Actonel (generic name, risedronate sodium)
Patients Medical's Treatment for Osteoporosis
The goal of osteoporosis treatment is the prevention of bone fractures by stopping bone loss and by increasing bone density and strength. Although early detection and timely treatment of osteoporosis can substantially decrease the risk of future fracture, none of the available treatments for osteoporosis are complete cures. In other words, it is difficult to completely rebuild bone that has been weakened by osteoporosis. Therefore, prevention of osteoporosis is as important as treatment.
Patients Medical makes use hormone therapy and supplements in order to treat patients with Osteoporosis. In addition to this the Osteoporosis patient is given a list of the most powerful and useful nutriceuticals and phytonutrients, which provide nutritional support for those patients suffering from rapid bone loss.
Patients Medical use calcium as one supplement to treat osteoporosis. It is one of the most important minerals involved in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Adequate amounts of calcium in the patients diet can help reduce bone loss by 30 - 50 percent. There are many forms of calcium supplements available. However, in order to be effective, calcium must be properly absorbed by the body. Patients Medical sometimes uses chelated forms of calcium (calcium citrate, calcium lactate, or calcium gluconate) because it is the easiest form for most people to absorb.
Patients Medical also uses Magnesium to treat osteoporosis, which is a mineral that plays an important role in maintaining healthy bones. It contributes to increased bone density and helps prevent the onset of osteoporosis. Most people do not get enough magnesium in their diets, especially if they eat large amounts of processed foods in which much of the magnesium is removed.
Since magnesium works closely with calcium, it is important to have an appropriate ratio of both minerals in order for them to be effective in the treatment of osteoporosis. A good rule of thumb is a 2:1 calcium-to-magnesium ratio. For example, if you take 1000mg of calcium, you should also take 500mg of magnesium.
Treatment at Patients Medical is mainly based on the knowledge used from a data base of scientific knowledge of the latest research corroborated with ancient herbal remedies. These remedies have been successfully used to treat patients who have uncomfortable symptoms of Osteoporosis. Patients Medical however, does not advocate the use of any of these treatments or supplements as a substitute to ongoing medical treatment under any licensed health care professional.
Supplements used to Treat Osteoporosis
Supplements used at 'patientsmedical' to help patients of Osteoporosis is-
Cal Apatite® Forte Capsules- This supplement has a mixture of MCHC and Vitamin D. MCHC has been procured from cryogenically processed whole bone. Plenty of research has gone into the making of this supplement, which has been seen to be able to halt and even reverse the effects of bone loss. This is especially beneficial where the effects of calcium alone cannot halt or decrease the onslaught of Osteoporosis.
Betaine HCl - Hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach, or in the form of betaine hydrochloride supplement, is needed for proper absorption of calcium and all nutrients. HCl is needed for ionization of calcium in the stomach, prior to absorption in the small intestine.
Definitions of Various Terms
'Skeletal disease'- pertaining to the skeleton
'Vertebral'- Pertaining to the Vertebra.
'Estrogen'- A generic term that describes oestrus producing steroid compounds, the female sex hormones.
Next Steps:
Poor health can significantly affect your life. Improve your life by changing to good health. Call our patient coordinator at 1-212-679-9667 or click on Request an Appointment to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for evaluation and testing.
We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, NYC, New York, NY 10017.
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Article Last Updated: 06/26/2009