Osteoporosis: A Disease of the Bones

Like a honeycomb, our bones (which contain spongy and compact bone) possess the same traits in that they have little holes. However, if the holes inside the bone are too big and spaced out unevenly, you should go to the doctor's and ask for a bone density test: you may have osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease in the bone where either a person does not make enough bone, produces too little, or both. While mainly found in women aged 50+, men aged 50+ are susceptible to it too.

Osteoporosis can be very life threatening because if a person's bones are too weak, any little bump or movement can break a bone and cause lasting pain. Factors that lead to osteoporosis commonly include a lack of calcium and vitamin D, not eating healthy, not getting enough exercise and other controllable factors. Some factors one cannot control, however, include aging, genetics and body built (being weak/small). Having a healthy lifestyle goes a long way, especially in preventing osteoporosis.

Like my physiology teacher says, the body and what happens to it is a cycle that affects not just one system or place, but many others as well. That being said, there are diseases that cause osteoporosis or can make it much worse. To name a few: RA arthritis, inflammatory bowl disease, diabetes, leukemia, depression and many other diseases can lead or worsen osteoporosis in any victim.  Certain medicines, too, can cause osteoporosis, with diagnoses not occurring until much later.

There are various medications for maintaining osteoporosis at bay, but it all depends on age, sex, how severe the osteoporosis is and one's personal preference.  The following list names but a few of the approved medications.

 

Medicines Approved to Prevent and/or Treat Osteoporosis

Class and Drug	Brand Name	Form	Frequency
Bisphosphonates
Alendronate	Generic Alendronate and Fosamax®	Oral (tablet)	Daily/Weekly
Alendronate	Fosamax Plus D™ (with 2,800 IU or 5,600 IU of Vitamin D3)	Oral (tablet)	Weekly
Ibandronate	Boniva®	Oral (tablet)	Monthly
Ibandronate	Boniva®	Intravenous (IV) injection	Four Times per Year
Risedronate	Actonel®	Oral (tablet)	Daily/Weekly/Twice Monthly/Monthly
Risedronate	Actonel® with Calcium	Oral (tablet)	Weekly
Risedronate	Atelvia TM	Oral (tablet)	Weekly
Zoledronic Acid	Reclast®	Intravenous (IV) infusion	One Time per Year/Once every two years
Calcitonin
Calcitonin	Fortical®	Nasal spray	Daily
Calcitonin	Miacalcin®	Nasal spray	Daily
Calcitonin	Miacalcin®	Injection	Varies
Estrogen*
Estrogen	Multiple Brands	Oral (tablet)	Daily
Estrogen	Multiple Brands	Transdermal (skin patch)	Twice Weekly/Weekly
Estrogen Agonists/Antagonists Also called Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
Raloxifene	Evista®	Oral (tablet)	Daily
Parathyroid Hormone
Teriparatide	Forteo®	Injection	Daily
RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitor
Denosumab	ProliaTM	Injection	Every 6 Months

Source 1
Source 2