Osteoporosis: understanding key risk factors and therapeutic options.
Bone loss throughout life is a normal consequence of aging; however, some people are more predisposed to developing osteoporosis and sustaining associated fractures than others. But the risk of osteoporosis can be reduced by: (1) maximizing skeletal mass during the growing years, (2) consuming 1,000 to 1,500 mg of calcium per day, (3) participating in lifelong weight-bearing exercise, and (4) considering pharmacologic intervention at menopause. Pharmacologic options include calcium, vitamin D, estrogen, bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and calcitonin. Any such medication should be taken in conjunction with exercise and fall precautions.
Beck
B R
BR
Griffith University School of Physiotherapy & Exercise Science, Queensland, 9726, AU. b.beck@mailbox.gu.edu.au.
Shoemaker
M R
MR