Osteoporosis Treatment Options
Scientists have discovered thirteen genes linked to osteoporosis that will optimistically lead them to ways to put a stop to this bone-weakening disease. The genes for osteoporosis that are discovered are linked to both bone density and the risk of fracture.
Osteoporosis is a major health problem worldwide. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation,34 million Americans are at high risk for osteoporosis and another 10 million already have the disease . According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, there are 70 million in China, 2.2 million in Australia, 2 million in Canada and 7.8 million in Germany who are affected by Osteoporosis.
The discovery of the new genes was made by an international team of more than 30 researchers who sampled data collected from twenty thousand participants in five genetic studies. Dr. J. Brent Richards of the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal states “We were able to look across the whole human genome to try to identify which genes—of all the genes that we inherit—that seem to be responsible for osteoporosis.” He clears that osteoporosis is hereditary.
Richards believes this new discovery, which adds 13 new genes to a good number of genes previously discovered, will eventually benefit patients, especially since some of the newly found genes are linked to bone density and fracture risk. The International Osteoporosis Foundation states that one-third of women above 50 experience fracture and the percentage is 20 percent for women. Osteoporotic fractures are a major health problem, with Richards noting that “hip fractures are a common and expensive condition which has a 50 percent mortality rate at two years.”
The discovery of new genes for osteoporosis provides the medical team with new tools to prevent and treat this bone disease. Richards pointed out that “This study affords us the opportunity to study the genetic mechanisms which control bone strength, and to intervene to prevent peoples’ bones from getting weak.”
Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment
- A routine X-ray or sonography can show osteoporosis of the bone, because the bones seem thinner and lighter than normal bones.
A bone mineral density test is the best way to check your bone health.
- To keep bones strong, eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercise and do not smoke. If needed, medicines can also help.
- Ultrasound of the heel is a good screening tool but not suitable for diagnosis of osteoporosis from the therapy point of view.
- Do impact loading exercise like brisk walking
- One should increase the bone mass as much as possible in the formative years.
- – Have adequate calcium, vitamin D and proteins in a healthy well- balanced diet.
- With doctor’s prescription, one can have medicines like antiresorptives, eg, bisphosphonate or bone forming drugs like teriparatides, depending on which is suitable.
- Patients with low hormone levels will benefit from hormone replacement therapy taken after consultation with your doctor.
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Posted by Starwin on 9th May, 2010
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