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Osteoporosis Center
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OSTEOPOROSIS - NEWS CENTER |
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 Hospitalization May Be Bad for Your Bones Too
August 22, 2008
Hospitalization may decrease physical function and cause bone loss. In the most recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco reported that elderly patients who are admitted to the hospital often have increased risks for hip fractures, as well as other types of fractures.
Your Reflux Medicine May Be Bad for Your Bones
August 21, 2008
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as Prilosec® and Prevacid®, are medications that reduce acid production in the stomach. These medicines are associated with an increased risk for hip fractures if they are used continuously for 5 years, according to a study published in the August 12, 2008 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Can a Beer a Day Really Keep Hip Fractures Away?
June 5, 2008
You've probably heard about the possible benefits of moderate red wine intake in reducing the risk of heart disease.
Diabetes Drugs May Increase Hip Fractures
May 9, 2008
Perhaps you've already heard that the diabetes drugs rosiglitazone (marketed as Avandia®) and pioglitazone (marketed as Actos®) have been linked to an increased risk of heart failure and may increase the risk of bone fractures in patients with type 2 diabetes. Rosiglitazone has also been associated with an increased risk of heart attack.
Osteoporosis Drug Linked to Irregular Heartbeat
May 5, 2008
Alendronate (marketed as Fosamax®), a bisphosphonate drug used to prevent bone loss, has been linked to an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm that is the leading cause of stroke.
Bone Health in Older Men
April 25, 2008
If you've been reading the News on Health and Age, you might have noticed that most of the osteoporosis news items focus on bone loss in women. But, older men lose bone mineral density (BMD), too, putting them at greater risk for fractures.
Raloxifene May Reduce Fractures in Kidney Disease
April 17, 2008
As chronic kidney disease becomes more severe, the likelihood of having low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis increases.
Injections May Increase Bone Density
April 11, 2008
Osteoporosis is a condition in which loss of bone mass leads to bone fragility and an increased risk of fractures.
Still Considering Hormone Replacement Therapy?
March 10, 2008
You may remember the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a large trial of over 16,000 post-menopausal women, which was designed to examine the effects of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular disease and bone health.
Saturday Quack - Fossy-Jaw Scare Overrated
January 12, 2008
A year ago I wrote about the risk of fossy-jaw in people taking medications for osteoporosis - Fosamax®, Actonel®, or Boniva® - to prevent bone fractures. I gave a link to a lawyer's firm that was seeking victims willing to make a claim against drug companies selling bisphosphonates. It seems the whole theory was premature. The association between those taking one of these drugs and the occurrence of fossy-jaw was, like many such associations, merely 'circumstantial evidence'.
A Paradox, a Paradox . . .
December 29, 2007
Who would expect that raised postprandial (after-meal) blood sugars would be associated with a reduced risk of fractures?
Not Quite a Quack, But Nearly ...
December 15, 2007
Calcium, whether from food or a supplemental, isn't able to prevent hip fractures in men or women, according to a report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This is surprising, as calcium supplementation or the consumption of calcium-rich food is generally recommended for preventing osteoporosis and its associated fractures.
Men - Are You at Risk for Osteoporosis?
December 4, 2007
University of Texas researchers have published their simple scoring method for determining the risk of osteoporosis in men over 60.
Good Vibrations?
November 15, 2007
Back in the 1960s there was a method for losing weight and repositioning fat - especially that on the buttocks - often shown on TV and newsreels. It consisted of a wide belt passed around the lower body and connected to a machine that vibrated, producing an effect not unlike vigorous toweling after a shower. The flesh shook, and, the user hoped, melted away. You can buy a vibrating belt today...
Bone Density Testing in Older Men Is Worthwhile
September 6, 2007
Old men fall and fracture their hips too often. The numbers could be reduced, given that there is a good, relatively simple, way to assess the bone density and a selection of drugs (bisphosphonates) to address a low bone density. The practicality of this has been demonstrated for women over 65, and now a computer simulation, using data from white men found to have osteoporosis and treated with bisphosphonates. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Calcium from Food is Better than Supplements
August 30, 2007
Many women, mindful of their risk of developing osteoporosis, take calcium supplements. I know my wife does. Yet a new study, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests there may be a better way of getting the same protection - eating calcium-rich foods.
The Ultimate in Drug Adherence
May 15, 2007
Lots of people who have osteoporosis and should be taking medication regularly to prevent it worsening don't take their meds. The bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that slow the destruction of bone that occurs in osteoporosis; the original representative was a daily tablet - alendronate, or Fosamax®. To avoid irritation of the lower end of the esophagus (gullet), patients were advised to remain sitting or standing for 30 minutes after taking the drug. Because of this inconvenience, drug adherence (regularity in taking a prescribed medication) was not high. So a once-a-week bisphosphonate was introduced. Easier to remember (?), less inconvenient. However, adherence to this type of medication is still poor. Recently, a once-a-month tablet has become available - ibandronate, or Boniva®.
Men Get Osteoporosis, Too
April 20, 2007
About 2 million US men have osteoporosis, and another 12 million are at risk for the disease. Apart from the usual risk factors (steroid use, some antacids, low testosterone level, smoking, etc), two recent reports serve to remind us that men can get the disease, too. First, older people with diabetes, both men and women, have a higher risk of hip fracture. A report from Canada was published in the journal Diabetes Care showing that the risk of hip fracture in men was 18% higher in those with type 2 diabetes. The reason for this is not entirely clear, but the increase is statistically significant (i.e. it could not be ascribed to chance). In fact, it doesn't seem to be related to bone mineral density, which is generally higher in diabetes. One proposal is that the increased weight seen in diabetics might be responsible. Women diabetics had an increase of 11% in their risk.
Alendronate has a long-lasting impact on osteoporosis risk
January 2, 2007
Women can take a break from osteoporosis drug without losing its benefits.
Animal study shows exercise when young prevents osteoporosis later on
December 5, 2006
Kids who are physically active may gain lifelong bone strength that can protect against osteoporosis.
Cola consumption lowers bone density, according to new study
October 16, 2006
Women who drink cola beverages could be at increased risk of osteoporosis.
Women who are short on vitamin K might be at risk of osteoporosis
October 12, 2006
Vitamin K deficiency could contribute towards osteoporosis, according to a new study.
Promising results reported for balloon kyphoplasty in spinal fractures
September 6, 2006
In older adults with osteoporosis-related spinal fractures, balloon kyphoplasty gives a good outcome.
Warning for women on bisphosphonates
September 1, 2006
Bone-strengthening drugs may occasionally have the opposite effect and cause osteonecrosis.
Atkins-type diet does not increase bone loss
June 7, 2006
A strict low carbohydrate diet did not cause an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Women should take calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis
June 2, 2006
Recent findings suggests that calcium alone cannot always stop osteoporosis, but Mayo Clinic doctors still think adequate intake is vital.
Drive to persuade women to stay on osteoporosis treatment
May 31, 2006
A new report reveals the true personal, social and economic cost of giving up on treatment for osteoporosis.
Men with low estrogen have increased risk for hip fracture
May 8, 2006
A study reveals that men with low estrogen levels are more likely to have a hip fracture especially if they also have low testosterone.
Male heart attack survivors more at risk of osteoporosis
February 24, 2006
A study of men in the USA shows that heart disease predisposes to bone loss and osteoporosis in later life.
Vertebroplasty - a mixed picture
January 20, 2006
Although vertebroplasty can help with osteoporosis, it also carries a risk of producing further fractures.
Statins linked to lower risk of fracture
October 10, 2005
The use of statins is linked to a 36 per cent decrease in the risk of a fracture, according to a new study.
Genetic factors influence bone fracture risk
September 19, 2005
A person's genetic make-up may predispose them towards a bone fracture, depending upon their age and the type of fracture.
Better combination of bone protecting drugs discovered
August 11, 2005
Treatment with a bone building drug followed by a further year on a standard osteoporosis drug shows the best increases yet in bone density.
Vitamin D does not help bone density in black women
July 27, 2005
According to a clinical trial, vitamin D supplements do not prevent bone loss among black women.
Black women have lower fracture risk than whites with same bone density
May 9, 2005
A comparison shows that black women are less likely to have a fracture than white women, even when their bone density is the same.
Chest X-rays could help detect osteoporosis in the elderly
April 27, 2005
A study shows that examining chest x-rays for fractures of the vertebrae might be a good way of screening for osteoporosis.
Screening patients with osteoporosis for celiac disease is worthwhile
March 2, 2005
A clinical study sheds new light on the link between osteoporosis and celiac disease.
Combining osteoporosis treatments does not offer advantage
October 1, 2003
The combination of two different osteoporosis drugs does not lead to any extra increase in bone density.
Lower dose estrogen is useful against bone loss
September 5, 2003
A lower than usual dose of estrogen can help women increase their bone density.
Aging and menopause have different effects on bone health
July 1, 2003
Women in middle-age should not all be treated with the same bone-protection therapies, say researchers.
Hormone drug increases bone density
February 6, 2003
In a study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, a new hormone drug was found to give a significant increase in bone density.
Mild exercise doesn't help prevent osteoporosis
November 7, 2002
Everyday activities such as walking and housework may be good for the heart, but don't do much for the bones.
Vitamin D analog builds new bone
October 1, 2002
Researchers have found a vitamin D like compound which can create new bone in animal tests and lab cultures.
Back exercises reduce fractures
July 2, 2002
Exercises to strengthen the back have been found to protect women from osteoporosis-linked fractures.
Bone gene discovered
January 10, 2002
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say discovery of the genetic basis of a rare disorder will help understand bone formation.
Excess vitamin A increases fracture risk
January 4, 2002
Long-term intake of a diet high in retinol may increase the risk of osteoporotic hip fracture, according to a new study.
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