The Best Medication for Bone Conditions

Bones are living tissues that provide a rigid framework for the body, support movement and protect vital organs. However, certain conditions can affect their strength and flexibility, resulting in health complications referred to as bone disorders. These conditions may arise from various causes, including diet, genetics, infections, and environmental factors. However, the most common reason for bone disorders is aging. People lose bone mass or density as they age, causing them to become more brittle.

There are treatment options for bone conditions, including medication. We’ve put together a guide for the most common bone conditions and the best medication for bone conditions below.

How Bone Conditions Are Diagnosed

There are many types of bone disorders, and doctors must identify a patient's specific disease to determine the most effective treatment.

A person's entire medical history is examined, and they may be required to undergo the following tests:

• X-ray
• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Bone densitometry
• Radionuclide bone scan

Once the disorder has been diagnosed, the doctor can recommend the best medication for bone conditions to delay disease progression.

Most Common Bone Disorders

Approximately 1.5 million individuals in the United States suffer from fractures because of bone diseases. The risk is more significant in women aged 50 and older, who are more likely to experience a fracture on the hip, spine, or wrist due to low bone density.

Below, we explore the most common disorders affecting the bone, their symptoms, and treatment.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens the bones making them more likely to break. Over time, bones become so brittle that even minor stresses, like bending over, can cause fractures. This disease affects over 10 million Americans and is responsible for an estimated two million broken bones annually.

There are no obvious symptoms during the disorder's early stages. However, once the bones have already significantly weakened, patients experience the following:

• Fractures
• Back pain
• A noticeable loss of height
• A stooped posture
• Receding gums

Treatment for this condition involves the best medicine for osteoporosis coupled with positive lifestyle changes such as regular weight-bearing physical activities and good nutrition. Bisphosphonate is the most commonly prescribed osteoporosis medication which can include:

Unfortunately, taking bisphosphonates won't suffice for patients with severe cases. Therefore, doctors might suggest another type of osteoporosis medication that helps increase bone density:

No two cases are alike, so health professionals have to look into the patient's overall health, age, and the condition's severity to recommend the best medicine for osteoporosis.

Scoliosis

Another common bone condition is scoliosis, a disorder characterized by the abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. While osteoporosis is mainly observed in older individuals, scoliosis is often diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence. According to Columbia University, scoliosis affects 2 to 3 percent of the US population accounting for six to nine million people.

Signs that may indicate the possibility of this bone disorder include:

• Uneven shoulders, waist, hips, and rib cages
• Irregularities on the skin overlying the spine, such as color abnormalities, hairy patches, and dimples
• The body leans to one side
• A visible curve on the back

Scoliosis is diagnosed through a physical examination and various tests, which may include x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, doctors will assess spinal maturity, the extent of curvature, and the possibility of progression to prescribe the best medication for bone conditions and develop an effective treatment plan.

The curve of the spine is corrected through braces and physical therapy. However, patients with degenerative scoliosis will experience debilitating pain that often requires over-the-counter pain relievers.

Paget’s Disease

Paget's disease is a chronic condition of the bone that interferes with the body's normal renewal process. Typically, a process called remodeling removes old tissues from the bone to replace them with new, healthier ones. However, Paget's disease causes this process to shift, resulting in a new bone that is weak and abnormally shaped.

Symptoms can include constant dull pain, numbness, and loss of movement in the affected area. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease, but bone condition medication can help relieve its effects.

Once the diagnosis has been confirmed after a series of tests, doctors will recommend the best medication for bone conditions to keep pain minimal and delay the disorder's progression.

Are Bone Condition Medications Enough To Fully Recover?

Recovering from a bone disease requires a holistic approach so patients can live normal lives. Aside from taking the best medicine for osteoporosis and other conditions, doctors highly encourage making healthy dietary changes and maintaining a regular exercise regimen.

In addition, health professionals stress the importance of prevention, especially in those with skeletal fragility. Eating foods rich in protein, calcium, and vitamins is an excellent way to improve bone health. Exercise can also help strengthen the bones and help keep their density.

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Sources:

• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/anatomy-of-the-bone
• https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/special-topic/aging-changes-in-the-bones-muscles-joints
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK45515/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoporosis/
• https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Osteoporosis-Fast-Facts.pdf
• https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/
• https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/osteoporosis.htm
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/in-depth/osteoporosis-treatment/art-20046869
• https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1984/index.htm
• https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/8-facts-know-about-scoliosis
• https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Scoliosis
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scoliosis/treatment-in-adults/
• https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/pagets-disease-of-bone
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pagets-disease-bone/
• https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/bones-joints-and-muscles/pagets-disease-of-the-bone/treatments.html
• https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/dont-be-bad-to-the-bone-how-to-preserve-bone-mass