Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to fracture. Usually, the bone loses density, which measures the amount of calcium and minerals in the bone.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Osteoporosis is the most common type of bone disease.
Because of osteoporosis about half of all women over the age of 50 will have a fracture of the hip, wrist, or vertebra (bone of the spine) during their lifetime.
Bone is living tissue. Existing bone is constantly being replaced by new bone. Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone, when too much existing bone is reabsorbed by the body, or both.
Calcium is one of the important minerals needed for bones to form. If you do not get enough calcium and vitamin D, or your body does not absorb enough calcium from your diet, your bones may become brittle and more likely to fracture.
Actonel
Actonel® is a prescription medication for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Your doctor may also prescribe Actonel® to help prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Evista
Evista is a type of prescription medicine called a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). Evista is for women after menopause and has more than one use.
Evista treats and prevents osteoporosis by helping make your bones strong and less likely to break. Evista can be taken with calcium and vitamin D as recommended by your healthcare provider.
Calcium
Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. The body needs calcium to maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions. Almost all calcium is stored in bones and teeth, where it supports their structure and hardness.
To prevent porous, breakable bones as you age, you need to have sufficient calcium and vitamin D. The body uses calcium for a number of functions and will take it out of the bones faster than it can be laid down if your diet does not pump enough calcium into the pipeline. But calcium is not the only component — bones are also one-third collagen, which is a protein that gives bones flexibility.
Prolia
Prolia® (denosumab) is a prescription medicine used to treat osteoporosis in women after menopause who are at high risk for fracture, meaning women who have had a fracture related to osteoporosis, or who have multiple risk factors for fracture.
Prolia is also for people who cannot use another osteoporosis medicine or other osteoporosis medicines that did not work well.
Forteo
After menopause, bone is lost faster than it can naturally be replaced. As bones become thinner and more fragile, fractures become more likely.
Forteo is an osteoporosis medicine that increases the number of bone-forming cells and helps build new bone in the spine, as well as other bones like the ankle/foot, hip, arm, pelvis, ribs, and wrist.