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What’s the story with Fosamax?
Recent reports have women wondering if they should stop taking this widely prescribed osteoporosis drug. In 1995, the FDA approved alendronate (Fosamax) for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, a bone-weakening condition that affects more than eight million women and causes 1.5 million fractures each year in the United States. Fosamax increases bone mineral density and […]
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Other options better than vitamin D for knee arthritis
We’ve known for some time that vitamin D—along with calcium—can help shore up our bones and protect against osteoporosis. More recently, researchers have wondered whether this vitamin might also slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis. A study published January 9 in The Journal of the American Medical Association randomly assigned 146 people with knee osteoarthritis […]
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Update on vibration therapy for bone health
Can gentle vibration improve bone density and prevent fractures after menopause? Soon you may be hearing a lot about low-intensity vibration therapy for strengthening bones and reducing the risk of fractures. Two low-intensity oscillating devices designed for home use are coming onto the market, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which advises […]
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Acupuncture relieves common types of chronic pain
Acupuncture helps relieve chronic pain in the back, neck, and shoulders, as well as pain from osteoarthritis and headaches, according to a new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. To compare acupuncture with conventional pain therapy, researchers pooled the findings of 29 past studies involving nearly 18,000 people. The study revealed that some, but […]
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Bisphosphonates may help men with osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is often thought of as a woman’s health problem, but in many older men, the bone-thinning disease poses a significant fracture risk. In a study published in the Nov. 1, 2012, New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that bisphosphonates, the commonly used bone-strengthening drugs, may provide the same level of benefit for men […]
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Ask the doctor: How can I protect against bone loss?
Q. I have osteoporosis, and my doctor has recommended that I take a bisphosphonate drug. Is there anything else I can do to protect my bones and keep them strong? A. Bisphosphonate drugs are a good option for treating osteoporosis, because they slow the breakdown of bone. They’re one of several drug treatments for the […]
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Men: Stand up and protect yourself from the risk of osteoporosis
Older men at increased risk of fractures from this bone-thinning disease Don’t think men need to worry about osteoporosis? Think again. Older men have a greater risk of osteoporosis-related fractures than of getting prostate cancer. In fact, about one in four men older than 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis during their lifetime, […]
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Boning up on osteoporosis
The disease strikes more women, but men are also at risk. Osteoporosis is often considered a woman’s disease, but men also need to be concerned about this bone-weakening condition. About 2 million men have osteoporosis and another 12 million are at high risk, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. In fact, older men have a […]
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Ask the doctor: Why would I need Prolia?
Ask the doctor Q. I’m in my 70s. Over the past 20 years I’ve broken several bones, including a hip. I’ve taken alendronate but continue to lose bone density. My doctor wants to give me Prolia . What is it? A. Prolia is a brand name of denosumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to receptors […]
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Why middle-age spread is a health threat
Those extra inches around the middle may signal increased fat around abdominal organs and rising health risks. It’s a rare woman over age 50 who has the same waist measurement she had as a teenager. But in the past decade or so, women’s waistlines have been expanding regardless of age. A 2014 report from the […]
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