Fighting Osteoporosis

While there are treatments for osteoporosis, there is currently no cure for the disease. Building a healthy diet and exercise during childhood and adolescence and maintaining that lifestyle as an adult remains the best course of prevention.

• A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Good sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products; dark green, leafy vegetables; sardines and salmon with bones; tofu; almonds; and foods fortified with calcium, such as orange juice, cereals and breads.

• Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, dancing, jogging, stair-climbing, racquet sports and hiking.

• No smoking and limited alcohol intake.

• Bone mineral density tests can diagnose osteoporosis and predict risk of future bone fractures. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five medications for prevention and/or treatment of osteoporosis. Each of these medications slows or stops bone loss, increases bone density and reduces fracture risk. NIH recommends:

People with osteoporosis can try to prevent falls and fractures by:

• Reducing clutter in homes and putting everyday objects in easy to reach places.

• Using rails outside the home and installing rails on staircases inside the home.

• Using caution in making movements such as bending forward and twisting the trunk -- or avoiding them altogether.

(Source: National Insititutes of Health)