Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition, which makes the bones fragile. There are usually no symptoms and it’s often only discovered when you break a bone in a minor accident or fall. It mainly affects women, particularly after the menopause, and less commonly in men. You are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis if you:
- have needed steroid treatment for more than 3 months
- have a family history of osteoporosis
- don’t do much weight-bearing exercise
- are a heavy drinker or smoker.
If you’re female, your risk may also be increased if you’ve:
- been through the menopause especially if it was before the age of 45 (early menopause)
- had your ovaries removed.
There are a number of treatments available for Osteoporosis including:
- Calcium and vitamin D
- Bisphosphonates (eg: alendronate, risedronate, zoledronate)
- Teriparatide
- Raloxifene
- Strontium ranelate
- Denosumab
