Osteoporosis: Care Instructions

Overview

Osteoporosis causes bones to become thin and weak. It is much more common in women than in men. Your chances of getting this disease depend on several things. These factors include the thickness of your bones (bone density), as well as health, diet, and physical activity.

This disease may be very advanced before you know you have it. Sometimes the first sign is a broken bone in the hip, spine, or wrist. Or you may have sudden pain in your middle or lower back.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Your doctor may prescribe a bisphosphonate, such as risedronate (Actonel) or alendronate (Fosamax), for osteoporosis. If you are taking one of these medicines by mouth:
  • Take your medicine with a full glass of water when you first get up in the morning.
  • Do not lie down, eat, drink a beverage, or take any other medicine for at least 30 minutes after taking the drug. This helps prevent stomach problems.
  • Do not take your medicine late in the day if you forgot to take it in the morning. Skip it, and take the usual dose the next morning.
  • If you have side effects, tell your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine.
• Get enough calcium and vitamin D. The recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for adults younger than age 51 are 1,000 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D each day. Women ages 51 to 70 need 1,200 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D each day. Men ages 51 to 70 need 1,000 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D each day. Adults 71 and older need 1,200 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D each day. It's not clear if people who already have osteoporosis need more calcium and vitamin D than this. Talk to your doctor about what's right for you.
  • Eat foods rich in calcium, like yogurt, cheese, milk, and dark green vegetables. This is a good way to get the calcium you need. You can get vitamin D from eggs, fatty fish, cereal, and milk.
  • Ask your doctor if you need to take a calcium plus vitamin D supplement. You may be able to get enough calcium and vitamin D through your diet. Be careful with supplements. Adults ages 19 to 50 should not get more than 2,500 mg of calcium and 4,000 IU of vitamin D each day, whether it is from supplements or food. Adults ages 51 and older should not get more than 2,000 mg of calcium and 4,000 IU of vitamin D each day from supplements and food.
• Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. Too much alcohol can cause health problems.
• Do not smoke. Smoking puts you at a much higher risk for osteoporosis. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• Get regular bone-building exercise. Weight-bearing and resistance exercises keep bones healthy by working the muscles and bones against gravity. Start out at an exercise level that feels right for you. Add a little at a time until you can do the following:
  • Do 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise on most days of the week. Walking, jogging, stair climbing, and dancing are good choices.
  • Do resistance exercises with weights or elastic bands 2 to 3 days a week.
• Reduce your risk of falls:
  • Wear supportive shoes with low heels and nonslip soles.
  • Use a cane or walker, if you need it. Use shower chairs and bath benches. Put in handrails on stairways, around your shower or tub area, and near the toilet.
  • Keep stairs, porches, and walkways well lit. Use night-lights.
  • Remove throw rugs and other objects that are in the way.
  • Avoid icy, wet, or slippery surfaces.
  • Be careful with activities that have a high risk of falls, such as jumping rope or downhill skiing. Talk to your doctor about whether they are safe for you. It may depend on how strong you are and how good your balance is.

When should you call for help?

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.