Healthy Lifestyle
Smoking is bad for bones as well as for the heart and lungs. Women who smoke tend to go through
menopause earlier, resulting in earlier reduction in levels of the bone-preserving hormone estrogen and triggering earlier bone loss. In addition, smokers may absorb less calcium from their diets. Alcohol can also negatively affect bone health. Those who drink heavily are more prone to bone loss and fracture, because of both poor nutrition and increased risk of falling.
Bone Density Test
Specialized tests, known as bone mineral density (BMD) tests, measure
bone density in various sites of the body. These tests can usually detect
osteoporosis before a fracture occurs and predict one's chances of fracturing in the future. Adults with
celiac disease should talk to their doctors about whether they might be candidates for a
bone density test. The test can help determine whether medication should be considered. Doctors may also use a bone density test to monitor the effects of an
osteoporosis treatment program.
Medication
There are medications available for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Several medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for preventing and/or treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, such as:
Alendronate is also approved for use in men. For people on glucocorticoid therapy, alendronate (for treatment) and risedronate (for prevention and treatment) are approved for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
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