Taking Control to Make Your Bones Healthy

How can I prevent osteoporosis and broken bones?

Although genetics (your family history) plays an important role in your risk for osteoporosis, following the steps to make your bones healthy can reduce your personal risk for osteoporosis and its consequences. Your actions can help protect your ability to lead an independent, active lifestyle.

Steps to Make Your Bones Healthy

  1. Eat a balanced diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D.
  2. Participate in regular exercise, to include weight-bearing, muscle strengthening, postural and balance exercises.
  3. Practice a healthy lifestyle, to include avoidance of tobacco products and limited alcohol consumption.
  4. Take safety precautions for fall prevention.
  5. Identify your personal risk factors for osteoporosis.
  6. Get a bone density test when appropriate
  7. When necessary, take FDA-approved medication for osteoporosis.

How do I know if I need a bone density test?

It is important to find out your personal risk for osteoporosis long before you get the disease. To help you assess whether you are at risk, see the appropriate NYSOPEP risk assessment tool (Postmenopausal Women, Premenopausal Women, Men). If you are at risk for osteoporosis, consult your health care provider about getting a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test.

How do I know if I need treatment?

Before treatment with medication, it is important for individuals at risk for osteoporosis to have a BMD test. A bone density test is able to diagnose osteoporosis or low bone mass, which may increase your risk for the development of osteoporosis. If you have osteoporosis or low bone mass, talk to your medical professional about whether medication is an option for you. The decision about medication must take into consideration your medical history, your family’s medical history, and your personal risk factors for fracture (broken bones), including low bone density.

What treatment options are available for osteoporosis?

Treatment of osteoporosis should always include a balanced diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise, safety strategies to prevent falls, avoidance of tobacco products and limited consumption of alcohol. However, if osteoporosis is diagnosed, these important lifestyle modifications alone are often not enough; medication may be needed to stop further bone loss or fractures. FDA-approved medications for osteoporosis prevention and/or treatment (listed alphabetically) include bisphosphonates (alendronate [Fosamax], risedronate [Actonel]), calcitonin (Miacalcin), estrogen therapy or hormone therapy, raloxifene (Evista, a selective estrogen receptor modulator) and teriparatide (Forteo). See "FDA-Approved Medications for Osteoporosis Prevention and/or Treatment".

(c) Helen Hayes Hospital/NYS Department of Health - 11/03

| FDA-Approved Medications for Osteoporosis Prevention and/or Treatment |