Medications that we can take to help counteract bone disorders may be prescribed differently, if GPs take on board the findings from a new study. Good bone wellness can depend on our diet, age and genetics, and when these things work against us then there are various treatments on offer.
Greater picture
Lower bone mineral density (BMD) is usually linked with ageing, but conditions like osteoporosis don’t just come about due to our age. BMD is constantly on the rise throughout adolescence and several years beyond this. This makes our younger years a good time to concentrate on our wellbeing by including all the vitamins and minerals needed to boost BMD in our diet. Even if we are diagnosed with the condition, doctors may still advise us to keep eating well and exercising regularly to try and maintain bone density. Medication is another way of coping with osteoporosis, and current research is continually indicating how best to take drugs for the condition.
Medicine research
Our BMD has been clinically proven to be boosted if we take bisphosphonates, which can provide wellness benefits if we suffer from osteoporosis by protecting us from fractures. As with all medications, there can be side effects. Research by the US Food and Drug Administration on these kinds of medication found that people taking it for six or more years had more fractures than people who were later switched to a placebo. Although the drug has been found to build bone density, with some people continuing to build it after stopping medication, the risk of fractures means doctors may change how they give us the medication should we need it. The results of the research appear to show that long-term use does not provide benefits, but taking the medication for several years, then having a break for a while could enhance BMD and protect us more from fractures associated with osteoporosis.
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