There is no specific age at which all people should stop treating osteoporosis. Continuing treatment is important because the risk of bone loss increases as individuals get older. The risk of developing osteoporosis increases with age, as does the risk of serious complications.
Osteoporosis is not a terminal illness and does not directly influence life expectancy.
They suggest discontinuing bisphosphonates if a patient has been treated for more than four years or has taken concomitant glucocorticoids. This topic is reviewed in more detail separately. (See "Risks of bisphosphonate therapy in patients with osteoporosis", section on 'Osteonecrosis of the jaw'.)
Stage 4 is the most severe stage of osteoporosis. The risk of bone fracture is higher, and the individual may also start having symptoms. Severe bone loss can lead to noticeable changes in a person's spine, such as height loss or stooped posture.
To reduce the risk of these rare complications, your doctor may recommend that you temporarily stop taking bisphosphonates after 3 to 5 years. This is sometimes called a bisphosphonate holiday. People who have severe osteoporosis may need to wait for 10 years before they stop taking these drugs.
It is possible for people to treat or prevent osteoporosis without medication in some cases. If a person's osteoporosis has not caused too much bone loss, lifestyle changes can help prevent osteoporosis bone breaks. These changes include exercise, nutrition, and stopping smoking and drinking.
Choose weight-bearing exercise, such as strength training, walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, tennis, and dancing. This type of physical activity can help build and strengthen your bones. Don't smoke. Smoking increases your risk of weakened bones.
Preventing osteoporosis should begin in childhood, but no matter what your age, it's never too late to take steps to strengthen your bones.
For postmenopausal women and men age 50 years and older, the T-score is the number that is used for diagnostic classification, as follows: A T-score of -1.0 or above is normal bone density. Examples are 0.9, 0 and -0.9. A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have low bone mass or osteopenia.
Universal recommendations from the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) for all adults over age 50, regardless of fracture risk, include: (1) at least 1200 mg elemental calcium per day; (2) vitamin D3 800-1000 IU per day; (3) regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise; (4) avoidance of cigarette smoking ...
Bone fractures, particularly in the spine or hip, are the most serious complications of osteoporosis. Hip fractures often are caused by a fall and can result in disability and even an increased risk of death within the first year after the injury.
Bone loss begins to occur at an approximate rate of 0.25% a year and is variable depending on many genetic and environmental factors. This may be considered the second stage towards osteopenia and/or osteoporosis. It is important to understand that this is a perfectly normal part of the aging process.
When should you call the doctor about osteoporosis? If you have risk factors and are concerned about osteoporosis, ask your healthcare provider about being screened, even if you are not as old as 65 (for women) or 70 (for men). Osteoporosis can be serious. Fractures can alter or threaten your life.
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes weak, thinning bones. This leaves the bones at greater risk of breaking. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists. Women are 4 times more likely to get osteoporosis than men because of a decrease in estrogen after menopause.
Many soft drinks and certain other carbonated soft drinks contain phosphoric acid, which can increase calcium excretion in your urine. And nearly all soft drinks lack calcium. That combination spells trouble for women at risk of osteoporosis.
Both arthritis and osteoporosis can cause pain around the joints and bones.
This excess risk is more pronounced in the first few years on treatment. The average life expectancy of osteoporosis patients is in excess of fifteen years in women below the age of 75 and in men below the age of 60, highlighting the importance of developing tools for long term management.
It's not clear why people with osteoporosis may experience fatigue, but it could be because your body is lacking in vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to both poor bone health and make you feel tired. Another connection may be between certain medications taken for osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis can lead to immobility, which means you may not be able to move as freely as you did before. Walking seems so simple—until you're not able to do it easily. But, there's good news: If osteoporosis has slowed you down, you can regain your mobility and independence. The tips below show you how.
Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, and climbing stairs, can help you build strong bones and slow bone loss. Avoid substance abuse. Don't smoke. If you are a woman, avoid drinking more than one alcoholic drink each day.
In general, life should be able to go on as normal – perhaps with just a few adjustments. Not everyone with osteoporosis will break a bone. Be reassured that if you don't break a bone, you won't have any pain or other long-term problems. Even if you do break a bone, pain and other ongoing problems aren't inevitable.
Bone-strengthening program
An exercise program for osteoporosis should include four components: Weight-bearing exercises force your body to work against gravity, which helps to strengthen bones. Examples include walking, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing.