Treatment of osteoporosis: how to prevent bone fractures

Osteoporosis is an endocrinological pathology in which the human skeleton is affected as a result of metabolic disorders. In osteoporosis, the microarchitecture of bones is disturbed, their strength decreases and the risk of fractures increases significantly. Pathology affects mainly the elderly, while the occurrence of fractures of the vertebrae and tubular bones is characteristic, the femoral neck is especially often affected. Such fractures are extremely dangerous for patients, as they threaten the development of serious complications. Timely initiation of osteoporosis treatment helps to prevent the development of dangerous consequences of pathology.

Non-drug and drug treatments for osteoporosis

Fractures in osteoporosis quite often end in death. This is explained by the fact that patients with fractures of the limbs need to adhere to bed rest for a long time, as a result of which congestion develops in the body. Osteoporosis – it is one of the most widespread pathologies among the elderly, especially among women.

The treatment regimen for osteoporosis is selected separately in each case, and includes components of non-drug and drug therapy. The main goal of osteoporosis treatment  – prevention of bone fractures in the patient.

Osteoporosis treatment:

• basic non-drug treatments for osteoporosis;
• main drug treatments for osteoporosis;
• methods of primary and secondary prevention of osteoporosis.

 

Main non-drug treatments for osteoporosis

Non-drug treatments for osteoporosis are used primarily for the prevention of fractures, and are also recommended for patients who have had a history of bone fractures due to osteoporosis. Non-drug treatment includes the following methods:

• physical activity (strength, walking, stretching and balance exercises) is recommended to increase muscle strength, improve coordination and reduce pain;
• back corsets – recommended for patients after vertebral fractures. With their help, you can reduce pain and restore physical activity earlier;
• Walking support devices reduce the load on the spine, thus reducing pain during walking and significantly reducing the risk of new fractures.

Main drug treatments for osteoporosis

Drug treatment of osteoporosis is carried out according to several basic principles:

• pathogenetic treatment is carried out in order to suppress increased bone resorption and stimulate bone formation. It implies the appointment of medications that reduce resorption, enhance osteosynthesis, as well as the appointment of vitamin D, fluorides and calcium salts;
• etiological treatment – aimed at eliminating the disease that caused secondary osteoporosis, or at the abolition of drugs, the intake of which provokes a violation of bone metabolism;
• symptomatic treatment – implies the appointment of drugs that reduce the clinical manifestations of osteoporosis.

Methods of primary and secondary prevention of osteoporosis

Prevention of osteoporosis includes primary and secondary prevention measures. As a primary prevention, patients at risk for developing osteoporosis should lead an active lifestyle, & nbsp; exercise, limit alcohol consumption and stop smoking, normalize nutrition and correct body weight, if necessary, apply hormone replacement therapy and vitamin therapy. The most important measure of secondary prevention of osteoporosis is the cure of the underlying disease, which can cause a violation of bone metabolism, as well as the abolition of drugs that provoke pathology.