When is osteoporosis severe

They may also run tests of your blood and urine to check for conditions that may cause bone loss. It uses X-rays to measure the density of the bones in your wrists, hips, or spine.

These are the three areas most at risk of osteoporosis. This painless test can take from 10 to 30 minutes. If your testing shows that you have osteoporosis, your doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan. Your doctor will likely prescribe medications as well as lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes can include increasing your intake of calcium and vitamin D , as well as getting appropriate exercise. These treatments can help slow the breakdown of bone in your body, and some treatments can spur the growth of new bone.

The most common drugs used to treat osteoporosis are called bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are used to prevent the loss of bone mass. They may be taken orally or by injection.

They include:. In men, testosterone therapy may help increase bone density. For women, estrogen used during and after menopause can help stop bone density loss. Unfortunately, estrogen therapy has also been associated with increased risk of blood clots, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

This medication has been found to provide the benefits of estrogen without many of the risks, although there is still an increased risk of blood clots. This drug is taken by injection and may prove even more promising than bisphosphonates at reducing bone loss.

This drug is taken as a nasal spray and reduces bone reabsorption. Talk to your doctor about any increased risk of cancer with this drug. This medication was approved by the FDA in April of to treat women who have gone through menopause and are at a high risk of having fractures. The drug is given in two injections under the skin in the same sitting once a month for 12 months or less.

Because osteoporosis medications can have side effects, you may prefer to try other treatments instead of medication. Several supplements, such as red clover, soy, and black cohosh, may be used to help promote bone health.

However, before using these supplements, be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This is for two main reasons:. All of that said, some people report good results with natural treatments. To keep your bones healthy, you need to include certain nutrients in your daily diet.

The most important ones are calcium and vitamin D. Your body needs calcium to maintain strong bones, and it needs vitamin D to absorb calcium. Other nutrients that promote bone health include protein , magnesium , vitamin K , and zinc. They can advise you on your diet, or refer you to a registered dietitian who can create a diet or meal plan for you. Exercise is very important as well, especially weight-bearing exercises.

Weight-bearing exercises are performed with either your feet or your arms fixed to the ground or another surface. Examples include:. These exercises help because they cause your muscles to push and pull against your bones. This action tells your body to form new bone tissue, which strengthens your bones. In addition to its many positive effects on weight and heart health , exercise can also improve your balance and coordination, which can help you avoid falls.

Always check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. There are many risk factors for osteoporosis that you cannot control. These include being female, getting older, and having a family history of osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about an earlier scan if you have any warning signs or risk factors for osteoporosis:. Your bone density is then compared to the average BMD of an adult of your sex and race at the age of peak bone mass approximately age 25 to The result is your T score.

Your doctor may also use your BMD results to help calculate an estimation of your risk for any fracture and for a hip fracture in the next 10 years. This fracture prediction is based on your bone density and other risk factors for fracture, such as family history and smoking. If you have osteopenia or osteoporosis, your doctor will recommend prevention steps outlined above to help slow down additional bone loss and reduce fracture risk.

In addition, she may recommend an osteoporosis medication. The medication choice will depend on the extent of bone loss, your tolerance for various medications, and the goals you and your doctor set together.

Not taking a medication also carries risks. There are trade-offs to think about. Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Stay active and connected. A physical therapist can help you find ways to move safely in activities and even enjoy a physical relationship with your partner. If you need to modify sport or hobby participation, explain your situation to loved ones and brainstorm new ways to spend time together.

Maintain your balance. Prevent falls by keeping your eyeglass prescription up-to-date and by getting help for hearing loss. Diminished hearing increases the risk for falls and balance problems. Keep floors and stairs clear of obstacles that could trip you.

Ask about a referral to a physical therapist for safe muscle-building exercises or advice from your doctor about exercises that are right for you. Strong muscles lower your risk for a fall. Ask about exercises that can help you maintain healthy posture, which may reduce the risk for a spine fracture.

If your doctor has recommended that you use a walker or cane after an osteoporotic fracture, do so—it will help your balance and allow you to stay more active. If you feel drowsy or dizzy, ask your doctor if this could be a side effect of other medications you may be taking, and ask what you can do about it. Talk through feelings.

Bone loss may lead to feelings of depression if you feel you can no longer do the things you enjoy or have lost independence.

Talk with your doctor about your mood and any anxieties you have. Look into support groups too. Johns Hopkins experts are looking at osteoporosis in many ways but with one aim: preventing this condition and improving life for people who have it.

Here are some notable findings:. Strong muscles reduce the risk for fragile bones. In a Johns Hopkins study of 84 people, researchers found that those with more muscle strength were less likely to have low bone mineral density.

That may be because activities that build strong muscles also stress bones, thus stimulating growth. Bone checks reduce hip fracture risk. In a study of 3, people, Johns Hopkins scientists found that those who were screened for osteoporosis were 36 percent less likely to have a hip fracture in the next six years. The reason: Screenings can uncover thinning bones in time for treatment, the researchers suspect.

Serve a strong diet. When you cook, prepare meals, snacks and desserts that contain bone-friendly foods and ingredients. Women also lose bone rapidly in the first few years after the menopause. Women are more at risk of osteoporosis than men, particularly if the menopause begins early before the age of 45 or they've had their ovaries removed. If your doctor suspects you have osteoporosis, they can work out your future risk of breaking a bone using an online programme, such as FRAX or Q-Fracture.

They may also refer you for a bone density scan to measure your bone strength. It's a short, painless procedure that takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the part of the body being scanned. Standard deviation is a measure of variability based on an average or expected value.

A T score of:. Treatment for osteoporosis is based on treating and preventing broken bones, and taking medicine to strengthen your bones. The decision about whether you need treatment depends on your risk of breaking a bone in the future. This will be based on a number of factors such as your age, sex and the results of your bone density scan. If you need treatment, your doctor can suggest the safest and most effective treatment plan for you. If you're at risk of developing osteoporosis, you should take steps to help keep your bones healthy.

This may include:. If you're diagnosed with osteoporosis, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of a fall, such as removing hazards from your home and having regular sight tests and hearing tests. Speak to your GP or nurse if you're worried about living with a long-term condition.

They may be able to answer any questions you have. You may also find it helpful to talk to a trained counsellor or psychologist, or other people with the condition.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society can put you in touch with local support groups. It can put you in touch with local support groups. It also has a free telephone helpline that may be particularly helpful if you're newly diagnosed with osteoporosis.