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Osteoporosis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Thin bones

Prevention:

Calcium is essential for building and maintaining healthy bone. Vitamin D , which helps your body absorb calcium, is also essential. To get these and other important nutrients throughout life, make sure to keep an overall healthy, well-balanced diet.

To help prevent osteoporosis, don't smoke, and avoid drinking excess alcohol.

Regular exercise can prevent bone fractures. Exercises where muscles pull on bones cause the bones to retain, and possibly gain, density.

A number of new medications for the prevention of osteoporosis, including raloxifene and alendronate, are currently available and FDA approved.

If you are a candidate for hormone replacement therapy, discuss the risks and benefits thoroughly with your health care provider.

• Review Date: 3/13/2006
• Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, M.D., Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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