Osteoporosis is a disease that causes your skeleton to weaken and bones to break. A milder form of this condition is referred to as osteopenia. Your physician has recently identified you as having this condition based on a recent bone density test known as a DXA scan.
There are several steps that you can take to help treat and prevent further weakening of your bones. No single step is enough to help, but all in concert may help prevent further bone loss.
Step One
Be sure that you are ingesting the recommended daily amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
Calcium plays an important role in maintaining bone. Calcium alone cannot prevent or cure osteoporosis but is an important part of our overall treatment program. Men over the age of 50 should consume 1,200 mg of calcium per day. You may be able to consume enough calcium through your diet, and you can specifically measure your calcium intake based on the table on page 3 which specifically delineates calcium content in many common foods. However, it is not uncommon for you to need a calcium supplement. There are several different types of calcium available. We would recommend Citracal. Of note, Citracal contains both calcium and vitamin D. Other supplements are available and you may discuss this further with your physician.
Vitamin D also plays a major role in calcium absorption. It is imperative that you consume both adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D should be between 400 and 800 iu. Major sources of vitamin D in your diet include vitamin D fortified dairy products, egg yolks, fish and liver. Most calcium supplements do include vitamin D as well. Do not take more than 800 iu, in that massive doses of vitamin D may be harmful. In addition, vitamin D is manufactured in the skin and usually 10-15 minutes of sun exposure on the hands, arms, and face 2-3 times a week is enough to satisfy the body's vitamin D requirement. The use of sunscreen, however, will markedly diminish the manufacturing of vitamin D in the skin.
Many multiple vitamins include vitamin D as well as calcium so you need to include these in your daily intake measurements.
Step Two
Engage in regular weight bearing exercise.
Exercise is important to bone health. The best exercise for your bones is weight bearing exercise such as walking, dancing, jogging, stair climbing and racquet sports. You may need to check with you physician if you have had a sedentary lifestyle before you begin any vigorous exercise program.
Step Three
Avoid smoking as well as excessive alcohol. Both are noted to be associated with decreasing bone density.
Step Four
You may need to take medication recommended by your physician.
Bisphosphonates such as Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva, are the most common medications your physician may prescribe. These involve tablets that are taken at weekly or monthly intervals. In addition there are more potent bisphosphonates available in an intravenous form which are given every three months. Your physician will decide which type of medication would be best for your particular condition. Ongoing research suggests there may be new medications in the future which hold even more promise; however, at this time these are the current drugs that are most commonly used.