Understanding osteoporosis and its treatment

How to treat osteoporosis ?

Dr. Cao Thanh Ngoc, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine and Musculoskeletal System, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City (UMPH), said that in the treatment of osteoporosis, supplementing bone-strengthening substances such as calcium and vitamin D is extremely necessary. However, patients should not mistakenly think that osteoporosis only needs calcium to be cured. In fact, calcium is just a building material, only a supportive treatment. For these materials to be effective, we also need workers, which are specialized drugs.

Dr. Cao Thanh Ngoc examines a patient

Specific drugs are based on two mechanisms: inhibiting bone resorption or enhancing bone formation. The doctor will discuss specifically with the patient or based on the accompanying disease to advise the appropriate drug or treatment method. In Vietnam today, patients most commonly use bisphosphonate drugs.

For specific drug therapy, patients need long-term treatment. The usual treatment duration is 5 years with oral bisphosphonates and 3 years with intravenous bisphosphonates. After that time, doctors will re-evaluate the treatment response and may consider stopping treatment if bone density improves. If bone density does not improve, treatment may be extended depending on each specific case.

At the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, multidisciplinary coordination helps patients, regardless of which specialty they are treated in, to avoid missing any accompanying problems. Patients who come to the hospital for examination, if indicated, will be screened and treated early by doctors for osteoporosis. In case the patient unfortunately has complications of bone fractures in the Department of Orthopedics or Neurosurgery, after surgical intervention, the patient will be consulted with doctors from the Department of Internal Medicine and Musculoskeletal System to consider the indication for osteoporosis treatment. This helps the diagnosis and treatment to be highly effective and comprehensive.

Notes when treating osteoporosis

MSc. Dr. Nguyen Chau Tuan (Department of Internal Medicine, Musculoskeletal System, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City) said that to treat osteoporosis properly, patients need to take medication according to the doctor's instructions on how to take it, when, especially when using biphosphonates. Next, to treat adequately, patients need to combine both drug and non-drug measures. In drug treatment, in addition to specific drugs such as biphosphonates, patients also need to combine calcium and vitamin D.

In addition, patients need to build a balanced diet with adequate nutrients such as meat, fish, eggs, milk and green vegetables. At the same time, patients need to increase muscle strength and balance training exercises such as yoga, cycling, etc. Finally, to effectively treat, patients need to have regular check-ups so that doctors can assess the condition and adjust treatment if necessary.

Osteoporosis can lead to the dreaded consequence of bone fractures. Falls are the main cause of femoral neck fractures and vertebral compression fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Therefore, fall prevention is a truly important and necessary factor, especially in patients with osteoporosis.

In response to World Osteoporosis Day and raising public awareness of osteoporosis, the Media Center in collaboration with the Department of Internal Medicine, Musculoskeletal System, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, has implemented a series of consulting programs on Healthy Living - Sharing with the theme UNDERSTANDING OSTEOPOROSIS AND TREATMENT, follow at: https://bit.ly/dieutriloangxuong

The program is sponsored by GIGAMED Pharmaceutical Company Limited with the main contents: Understanding osteoporosis, Early treatment of osteoporosis - preventing disability complications and Compliance with osteoporosis treatment - Seemingly difficult but easy!

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