Osteoporosis makes bones weak and brittle, so fragile that even little stressors like leaning over can result in a fracture. Most fractures occur in the hip, wrist, or spine. Bones are continually breaking down and being rebuilt. Osteoporosis develops when the formation of new bone does not keep up with the loss of old bone. Therefore, you might need skilled nurses for proper treatment for osteoporosis in the elderly to tackle the issue.
Men and women of all races are affected by osteoporosis. Nonetheless, women, particularly older women who have passed menopause, are most vulnerable. Medicines, a nutritious diet, and weight-bearing exercise can help avoid losing bone or strengthen already weak bones.
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How is Osteoporosis Treated?
Treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly is slowing or preventing bone loss to avoid fractures. Suppose your test results reveal that you have osteoporosis or have a bone density below a specific level, as well as other risk factors for fractures. In that case, your doctor may advise you to make lifestyle changes and take drugs to reduce your risks of breaking a bone. There is no one-size-fits-all osteoporosis therapy. Instead, it may be treated with medicine, vitamins, and lifestyle modifications.
Medication
You may be offered bone-strengthening medication if your bone density test results in a T-score of -2.5 or below. There are various groups of safe, effective medications licensed for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, including:
- Biologics
- Hormone and hormone-related therapy
- Anabolic agents
- Bisphosphonates
- Alendronate. It is a weekly pill.
- Risedronate. It is a weekly or monthly pill.
- Ibandronate. It is a monthly pill or quarterly intravenous infusion.
- Zoledronic acid. It is an annual IV infusion.
Certain medications are more suited to older women than to younger premenopausal women. Your doctor will review your options and assist you in selecting the appropriate osteoporosis medicine for you depending on your general health and the amount of bone you’ve lost. While some treatments of osteoporosis in the elderly are administered through injection, while others are administered via liquid or tablet, your personal preferences are also important.
Dietary Supplements
If you have osteoporosis or are attempting to avoid it, your doctor may urge you to boost your calcium and vitamin D consumption. The BHOF recommends that women over the age of 51 have 1,200mg of calcium per day, while most individuals over 50 require 800-1,000 IU of vitamin D per day. If you aren’t receiving enough of these nutrients through food or your diet, taking a multivitamin or supplements can help.
Bear in mind that dietary supplements are not regulated in the same way that prescription drugs are. Therefore, consult your doctor before using any supplements.
Lifestyle Changes
If you have osteoporosis, you should restrict your intake of alcohol and caffeine and avoid using cigarette products. Frequent exercise can help delay or prevent bone loss while increasing muscular strength, improving balance and posture, and relieving pain. Walking, jogging, dancing, and weight lifting are all examples of weight-bearing activities. Before commencing an exercise program, consult with your doctor.
Another key aspect of osteoporosis treatment is reducing falls inside and outside the house. This might include actions like:
- Keeping your flooring clean and clutter-free
- Using non-slip floor mats and area rugs
- Putting grab bars and handles in the bathroom and stair railings
- Make certain that your property has adequate lighting
- Keeping outside places clean and in excellent repair
- When you leave the house, wear flat shoes with non-slip soles.
If you believe you benefit from assistive equipment (e.g., a cane, a higher toilet seat, or a stair lift), your healthcare provider can put you in touch with services that can assist you.
How to Treat Osteoporosis Without Medication?
The most effective treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly to treat age-related bone loss is to reduce the chance of a bone fracture. Therefore, enhancing your exercise and diet are critical initial steps.
Exercise
Workout strengthens the bones. Consider:
- Exercising at an average to high intensity three times each week.
- Weight-bearing exercises, such as strength training and walking.
- Balance exercises can help decrease falls and fractures.
- After bed rest, begin exercising or moving around as soon as feasible.
- If necessary, participate in a rehabilitation program.
If you have osteoporosis, see your doctor before beginning any activity to avoid injury. In addition, you may need to consult a physical therapist to discover the exercises that are most effective for you.
Diet
Certain vitamins are necessary for the treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly, including:
Calcium
Calcium is an important mineral for bones and teeth since it is their primary building material. Because our bodies lose calcium daily, it is critical to consume calcium-rich foods.
Many elderly folks eat fewer calcium-rich foods. This is frequently due to milk, cheese, or yogurt being more difficult to digest. Lactose digestion issues are more common in older adults. Several lactose-free dairy products, such as milk and ice cream, are now accessible. Lactose is naturally low in certain old cheeses (such as strong cheddar) and yogurts.
Most doctors recommend consuming at least 1,200 mg of calcium per day. Calcium-rich foods, such as dairy and leafy, dark greens, are the best way to get enough. Numerous additional foods can also be high in calcium. They are as follows:
- Yogurt and milk
- Sardines in oil with bones
- Kale and broccoli
- Canned salmon with bones
- Tofu
Calcium supplements are cheap and widely accessible. In addition, the vitamins are better absorbed in split doses (for instance, 600 mg at a time).
- Without meals, calcium citrate can be absorbed well.
- Calcium carbonate should be taken with meals.
Calcium supplements should not include more than 2,500 mg of calcium per day. If you do, you increase your chances of having kidney stones, especially if you’ve experienced menopause. Conversely, calcium-rich foods may reduce your risk of kidney stones.
Vitamin D
To utilize calcium, your body needs this “sunshine” vitamin. When the skin is exposed to direct sunshine, the body produces vitamin D. The risks of not having enough vitamin D include:
- increased usage of sunscreen
- Inadequate skin exposure to sunlight
- As we age, our skin changes, reducing vitamin D production.
- With aging, people spend less time outside.
You can acquire more vitamin D by doing the following:
- Consuming vitamin D-enriched foods, including fortified milk, juices, and bread.
- Taking vitamins. The daily vitamin D recommendation is 800-1,000 international units (IU).
- If your vitamin D levels are too low, your doctor may advise you to take more.
- Your healthcare physician may request that you undergo a blood test to determine your vitamin D level.
Vitamin C
Researchers discovered that individuals who take more vitamin C had a lower risk of osteoporosis than those who consume less vitamin C. As per studies, increasing vitamin C consumption is connected with improved bone density and may be associated with a lower risk of hip fracture.
Increase Sunlight Exposure
Sunlight is important for the treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly. Unfortunately, most people do not get enough sunshine to produce the required level of vitamin D. Direct sunlight on the skin causes the human body to produce vitamin D. When sunshine is scarce between October and March; the body naturally produces less vitamin D.
Vitamin D consumption, both dietary and supplementary, is particularly necessary during winter. In the summer, exposing arms and legs to direct sunshine for brief durations (particularly between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.) allows the body to produce vitamin D.
The quantity of sunshine required depends on several factors, including season, skin sensitivity, and skin color. In addition, because the skin’s ability to generate vitamin D diminishes with age, older adults require greater sunshine exposure.
While exposing skin to direct sunlight, tread cautiously. Extended exposure to direct sunlight may raise the risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Long durations in the sun should be spent using sunscreen, suitable clothes, and eyewear.
Stop Smoking
Smoking has been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. In addition, tobacco usage has been found in studies to reduce bone density. Smoking can cause bone density loss and other risk factors in smokers.
Smokers, for example, have worse diets, drink more alcohol, and work out less than nonsmokers. Moreover, smoking may raise the probability of bone fracture and interfere with the healing of existing fractures.
Smoking is a difficult habit of quitting, but it is critical to quit for bone health. Even at a later age, giving up smoking can help minimize bone loss. There are several options available to assist in smoking cessation.
Limit Alcohol and Caffeine Intake
Caffeine and alcohol use hurts bone health. Excessive alcohol use may impair healthy bone growth, particularly in young people.
Moreover, alcohol intake can limit calcium absorption and affect vitamin D synthesis, decreasing bone strength.
According to research, the effects of high alcohol intake on bone health may not be reversed. In addition, heavy alcohol use may also disrupt hormone levels, causing bone tissue destruction.
Alcohol addicts are more likely to have spine and hip fractures. Moderate alcohol intake has a less evident impact on bone health. Your intake should be restricted to no more than two servings per day.
Caffeine usage may have a lower influence on bone health than alcohol consumption. However, this varies by individual. Caffeine has been shown in most studies not to affect bone health in healthy people.
Conversely, caffeine increases the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, which may raise the risk of osteoporosis in people with calcium deficits.
What Types of Exercises are Best for Bones?
Weight-bearing workouts are great agents for the treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly. This is because they are the most beneficial to your bones. Weight-bearing workouts include standing up and exercising your feet and legs, such as brisk walking, dancing, and sprinting.
Getting your muscles stronger can help to preserve your bones and enhance your balance. Muscle-strengthening workouts do not have to include lifting weights in the gym. Instead, you may undertake easy, moderate workouts in the privacy of your own home.
Can Osteoporosis Be Cured?
Exercise, mineral and vitamin supplements and medicines may be used to treat established osteoporosis. Exercise and supplements are frequently recommended to help prevent osteoporosis. Exercises that involve weight bearing, resistance, and balance are all essential.
Is Osteoporosis a Terminal Illness?
While the risk of death varies depending on the kind of fracture, the great majority of people with osteoporosis and osteoporotic-related injuries and fractures do not die directly due to their condition. As previously stated, hip fractures are among the most lethal forms of fractures; it is believed that around 20% of all patients die within a year. The oldest hip fracture patients are the most likely to die, and men have worse survival chances than women.
When to See a Doctor?
Osteoporosis symptoms can be painful and uncomfortable. If you have significant pain, especially in your back, neck, hip, or wrist, you should immediately see a doctor. In addition, you may have a fractured bone that has to be evaluated and treated.
The bottom line
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes your bones to thin and become fragile. Osteoporosis is significantly more common in older folks since your body’s ability to manufacture new bones declines as you age. Although osteoporosis is more frequent in women, men can still be affected.
Symptoms of osteoporosis are uncommon. You may not realize you have this disease until you break a bone. Certain signs and symptoms, including receding gums, decreased grip strength, and brittle fingernails, maybe early warning indicators.
The most typical signs of later-stage osteoporosis are a loss of height, a crooked posture, back or neck discomfort, and bone fractures.
Suppose you are looking for caregivers and skilled nurses familiar with the treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly. In that case, you can complete our online appointment form and let us consult you. You can also call us at (702) 871-9917.
