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Osteoporosis is a silent predator..

It is a disease over which we have some control. Our bones reach their greatest density about 30 years of age.

Choosing healthy living habits early on will increase bone density and decrease the chances of having osteoporosis later in life.

Do not smoke, eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables, especially green leafy ones. Stay away from colas or dark colored soft drinks as well as caffeine and alcohol.

Do get lots of calcium and vitamin D as the two work together for bone health. Taking supplements, spending some time in the sun, and do weight bearing exercise such as walking.

Some risk factors are ones over which we have no control - getting older, being small and thin, a family history or preexisting low bone mass, called osteopenia, being a women although men are not immune. According to Dr. Srinivas R Nalamachu for every five women only one male is afflicted.

Osteoporosis usually occurs after menopause due to the normal aging process but it can occur at any age..

Preexisting diseases such as thyroid, kidney,cancer, liver, or others have osteoporosis as a known complication Some of these disorders carry the risk because they tend to occur or be present in those who are older. Often the medications used; chemotherapy, steroids, and others, can result in the development of osteoporosis as they may not allow the body to take in enough vitamins and minerals.

Anticonvulsants, such as Dilantin, when taken for months to years, may cause osteoporosis.. It is always a balancing act to decide if and when a medication and it's osteoporosis risk outweighs its benefits.

TREATING OSTEOPOROSIS

The most elementary is the same as above: take calcium and vitamin D supplements, good diet, little or no colas or alcohol, and if you are a smoker, stop. And don't fall.

There are a number of medications out in the market.

The ones most of us are familiar with are the Bisphosphonates - Fosamax, and Actonel
2 drugs that reduce the risk of vertebral and/hip fractures. Boniva , the once-a-month drug, does not reduce the chance of hip breaks.

Forteo, is taken once a day as an injection. It is a manmade hormone and ncreases bone density.

Evista is in a different category. It is only prescribed postmenopausally. It provides the beneficial effects of estrogen without the potential disadvantages. It reduces the risk of spine fractures but not hip

All of the drugs gave potential serious side effects. With the Biphosphates the riskiest is possible tissue death of the

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