Single Injection Treats Osteoporosis For One Year

There’s a major problem with human behaviour. Unlike elephants, humans have a great propensity to forget. In fact, they often forget to do the simplest of tasks such as taking medication on a regular basis. This pitfall can have dangerous consequences. Now, due to advanced technology, it’s possible to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis (brittle bones) with just a single injection every year. And that’s pretty hard to forget!

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The figures are frightening. Studies show that one in four women and one in eight men over age 50 has osteoporosis. Today over 1.4 million Canadians suffer from it. And due to an aging population, we can expect more hip and spinal fractures, the result of osteoporosis in the years ahead. Who develops this crippling disease depends on several factors. Genetics plays a role as often there’s a family history of this disease. So does being thin, small boned, white or of Asian ancestry. Smokers, those who take more than three alcoholic drinks a day, and patients who require corticosteroids to treat asthma and arthritis are at increased risk. But it’s women who are the most likely to bear the brunt of this malady. Maurice Chevalier once remarked “Vive la difference” when referring to women. We know what he was thinking, and it wasn’t about menopause, when ovaries stop producing estrogen setting the stage for osteoporosis. And with more women now denying hormone therapy the possibility of brittle bones increases. It’s been aptly said that “women are tuned into menstrual cycles, but not bone cycles.” But bones are constantly being built up and broken down, and as we age we lose one percent of our bone mass every year. Eventually, if women, in particular, don’t take precautions to prevent osteoporosis, their bones look like Swiss cheese and can suddenly snap like a dry twig. So how can you prevent spending your last years in a wheelchair? We know that exercise builds strong bones. The best example is when someone loses an arm. A few years later bones in the remaining arm are considerably larger. Also, think like a banker. If you save pennies early in life there’s more money to draw from the bank later on. So be sure your diet is rich in calcium to build up strong bones early in life to ensure strong bones as you age. And take vitamin D. Most people do not know that this vitamin is essential for the absorption of calcium. But suppose Lady Luck gave you faulty genes, small bones, or you failed to use preventive measures. The doctor may then say, “You have osteoporosis and it requires treatment”. Oral bisphosphonate therapies have been available for several years. Patients are advised to take them on either a daily, weekly or monthly basis. But research shows that 50 to75 percent of patients stop this medication within the first year due to side effects. This is a major problem because to be effective these drugs must be taken at least 50 percent of the time. So failure to take a regular dose is a losing game, a waste of time, and money. A report in the New England Journal of Medicine offers a unique alternative medication (zoledronic acid) “Aclasta”. It’s ideal for those who are either forgetful, develop side effects on oral medication or who simply want to circumvent taking medication at regular intervals. A single 15 minute injection searches out bones following the infusion and what’s not needed is eliminated from the body within a few days. The injection can be given in a doctor’s office, at intravenous centers or at home. Studies show that this once yearly treatment option increases bone strength and decreases the risk of fracture in the hip by 41 percent and by 70 percent in the spine. It also reduces the risk in the arm, wrist and ribs. Osteoporosis is often a silent disease before a fracture occurs. So if you’re worried about osteoporosis or have risk factors for this disease, see your doctor. He or she may decide to order a bone mineral density test as this is the only sure way to diagnose osteoporosis. So think like an elephant and don’t forget to do that simple task!