How to prevent osteoporosis

  1.Adjustment of lifestyle A balanced diet rich in calcium, low salt and moderate protein; pay attention to appropriate outdoor activities, physical exercise and rehabilitation therapy for bone health; avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs that affect bone metabolism; take various measures to prevent falls: such as attention to diseases and drugs that increase the risk of falls, self and environmental protection measures.  2.Bone health basic supplements Calcium: The recommended daily calcium intake for adults is 800 mg (elemental calcium), and the recommended daily calcium intake for postmenopausal women and the elderly is 1000 mg. The average daily calcium intake for the elderly in China is about 400 mg from the diet, so the average daily amount of elemental calcium should be 500 mg to 600 mg. It is also often used in combination with other osteoporosis drugs to improve the efficacy. There is insufficient evidence to suggest that calcium supplementation alone can replace other anti-osteoporosis medications. The choice of calcium should take into account its safety and efficacy.  Vitamin D and its metabolites: It facilitates the absorption of calcium in the gastrointestinal tract. vitD deficiency can lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism, which increases bone resorption and can cause or aggravate osteoporosis. Studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation increases muscle strength and balance in the elderly, thus reducing the risk of falls and hence fractures. Active vitD is more appropriate for the elderly and must be used under the supervision of an osteoporosis and related specialist. The dose of osteotriol is 0.25~0.5μg/d; α-osteotriol is 0.25~1.0μg/d; 25(OH)D320~40μg/d. The clinical application should pay attention to the individual difference and safety, regularly monitor blood and urine calcium, and adjust the dose as appropriate.  3.Drug treatment Bisphosphonates: effectively inhibit osteoclast activity to reduce bone conversion, can significantly improve the lumbar spine and hip bone density, reduce the risk of fracture of the vertebrae and hip. According to the characteristics of various preparations, the correct method of administration should be strictly followed (e.g. alendronate should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach with 200ml of water, and not lying down and eating within 30min after taking the drug), and drug reflux or esophageal ulcer may occur in very few patients. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with esophagitis, active gastric and duodenal ulcers, and reflux esophagitis. Bisphosphonate formulations (Fosamax at a dose of 70 mg per tablet), which are clinically used once a week, are more convenient to take, less irritating to the GI tract, effective and safe.  Calcitonin: It inhibits the biological activity of osteoclasts, prevents bone loss and increases bone mass, and reduces the incidence of vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Another outstanding feature of calcitonin analogs is their ability to significantly relieve bone pain, which is effective for chronic pain caused by osteoporotic fractures or skeletal deformities, as well as bone pain caused by bone tumors and other diseases, making them the first choice for the treatment of osteoporosis with painful symptoms. The duration of calcitonin-based agents depends on the condition and other conditions of the patient.  Selective estrogen receptor modulators: effectively inhibit osteoclast activity and reduce bone turnover to premenopausal levels in women. Clinical trials have shown that raloxifene can prevent bone loss, increase bone density, and significantly reduce the incidence of vertebral fractures, making it an effective drug for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The drug is used only in female patients and is characterized by selective action on the target organs of estrogen, with no adverse effects on the breast and endometrium. It can reduce the incidence of estrogen receptor-positive invasive breast cancer and does not increase the risk of endometrial hyperplasia or endometrial cancer. A small number of patients may experience hot flashes and cramps in the lower extremities while taking the drug. It is temporarily contraindicated in perimenopausal women with severe hot flashes. Foreign studies have shown that this drug mildly increases the risk of venous embolism, so it is contraindicated in patients with a history of venous embolism and a tendency to thrombosis, such as during prolonged bed rest and prolonged air travel.  Estrogens: These drugs should only be used in female patients. Estrogenic drugs can inhibit bone turnover and prevent bone loss. Clinical studies have well documented that estrogen or estrogen-progestin supplementation reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures and is an effective measure to prevent and treat postmenopausal osteoporosis. Based on a thorough evaluation of the pros and cons of hormone supplementation, hormone supplementation is recommended.  Chinese medicine: clinically proven proprietary Chinese medicine can also be used according to the condition.  Phytoestrogens: There is no evidence that current phytoestrogen preparations are effective in the treatment of osteoporosis.