Osteoporosis: Current Modes of Prevention and Treatment

Introduction

The article is related to the common disorder, Osteoporosis. The article focuses on the diagnosis and general treatment of this disorder. The paper aims to review the article highlighting the general treatment principles which will help in preventing and treating Osteoporosis. This disorder is common to both men and women and is related to the fragility fractures. According to World Health Organization, women over 65 have Osteoporosis which comprises of one-third of women population. White women are known to have osteoporosis more than Hispanic and African-American women (Lane & Nydick1999, p. 22). Osteoporosis occurs when bone is quickly loss after menopause, and insufficient bone mass is present at the time of maturity. Fractures in elderly individuals are high due to insufficient bone mass. Initially, the fragile fracturing seems to be highly prevalent in women, but this is not the case because women have high survival rate than men. Both men and women have the same rate of Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis also occurs due to environmental and genetic factor when the main cause for the disorder is limited peak bone mass or rapid bone loss (Lane & Nydick1999, p. 22).

Discussion

The article has discussed the general treatment principles. According to Lane and Nydick (1999, p.22), the main and foremost treatment for Osteoporosis is prevention. Fragility of bone can be determined by the prevention of postmenopausal resorption and achievement of high bone mass. With normal menstrual status, adequate caloric intake, appropriate exercise, physiologic calcium and vitamin D intake high bone mass can be achieved. The physician must guide the individual related to exercise more than the limit and ability for the maintenance of adequate caloric intake, initiating events of fragility, hormonal dysfunction and inadequate caloric intake. The physician must also guide the individual for periods of oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea. By the age of 25, peak bone mass is attained by the individual. Weight loss and hormonal dysfunction can cause bone loss. Even if, the societal pressures are high, it is required that weight must be maintained at a normal level throughout the life time. According to age, the calcium and vitamin D levels must be maintained. The exercises must focus on the balance training, impact loading, and muscle strengthening (Lane & Nydick1999, p. 22).

Therapy is required if the bone loss occurs despite that the physiologic preventive measures are taken. This can occur as the results of DXA study have shown that low bone mass or high level of bone collagen degradative products can occur. The risk factors, bone mass and bone dynamics determine the type of therapy and point of intervention. There are different treatments and methods of prevention of osteoporosis for different genders and age groups. Currently, the treatment of osteoporosis with therapeutic agents is done within the anti resorptive agents and can lead to high-turnover osteoporosis. The anti resorptive agents comprise of calcitonin, hormone replacement therapy and bisphosphonates. Weak anti resorptive agents comprise of vitamin D and calcium. There is no bone stimulatory agent approved by Food ...