Prevention and treatment
If the results of your DEXA scan show that you have osteoporosis or are likely to develop it in the future there are steps you can take to prevent or treat the condition.
Prevention
Your scan may have diagnosed osteopenia. This is mild bone loss that is not serious, but it indicates that you may develop osteoporosis in the future.
If you have oteopenia, or even if you are just concerned about developing osteoporosis later in life, there are general measures you can take that will help to prevent the condition from developing. These include:
- Eat a diet rich in calcium by including dairy products and some fruit and green leafy vegetables
- Take in plenty of vitamin D, which is needed to help you absorb calcium. Vitamin D is found in some foods including milk, eggs and oily fish. It is also absorbed from the sun through your skin, though be careful of excessive exposure to the sun
- Regularly undertake strength training and weight bearing exercise. Include weight training for the muscles and bones in your upper body, and low impact exercise like walking, running or skipping to strengthen the bones in your legs and lower body
- Don’t smoke as this can reduce your bone density
- Avoid excessive alcohol
- Limit caffeine intake
If you have oteopenia a DEXA scan can be used over time to accurately monitor any changes in your bone density.
Treatment
If you already have osteoporosis there are a number of treatments that can help to prevent fractures and strengthen bones. These include:
- Biophosphonates – these drugs block the breakdown of bone tissue
- Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) – these drugs mimic oestrogen
- Calcitonin – a hormone produced by your thyroid gland which blocks the action of the cells that break down bone. It is usually taken as a nasal spray
- Calcium and vitamin D – can reduce bone loss. Post menopausal women should take between 700 and 1000mg a day in their diet, or as a supplement
- Exercising – can reduce fractures even if osteoporosis is present by reducing bone loss, strengthening muscles and maintaining mobility
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – this treatment is no longer widely recommended due to more serious side effects
Your GP will be sent the results of your DEXA scan after your BMI osteoporosis screen. They will then be able to discuss ways of preventing or treating the condition that are most appropriate for you.
Some of the drugs mentioned above have significant side effects. Your doctor will discuss these with you before you decide to proceed.
