The Rheumatoid Arthritis-Osteoporosis Link
The Rheumatoid Arthritis-Osteoporosis Link
arthritis.about.com
Part 2 of 2 - Osteoporosis Prevention And Treatment
By Carol & Richard Eustice, About.com
Updated: May 25, 2006
Osteoporosis Management Strategies
Strategies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in people with rheumatoid arthritis are not significantly different from the strategies for those who do not have the disease.
Nutrition
A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is important for healthy bones. Good sources of calcium include:
low-fat dairy products
dark green leafy vegetables
calcium fortified foods and beverages
Calcium supplements can also help ensure that the calcium requirement is met each day.
Osteoporosis and Nutrition: The Role of Calcium and Other Nutrients
Calcium Supplements: What Should You Look For?
Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption and bone health. It is synthesized in the skin through exposure to sunlight. While many people are able to obtain enough vitamin D naturally, older individuals are often deficient in this vitamin due, in part, to limited time spent outdoors. Such individuals may require vitamin D supplements in order to ensure an adequate daily intake.
Exercise
Like muscle, bone is living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger. The best exercise for your bones is weight-bearing exercise that forces you to work against gravity. Some examples include:
walking
stair-climbing
dancing
Exercising can be challenging for people with rheumatoid arthritis and needs to be balanced with rest when the disease is active.
Regular arthritis-friendly exercises such as walking can help prevent bone loss and, by enhancing balance and flexibility, can reduce the likelihood of falling and breaking a bone. Exercise is also important for preserving joint mobility.
Exercise: Essential Treatment For Arthritis
How To Exercise When You Have Arthritis
Strength Training For People With Arthritis
Healthy Lifestyle
Smoking is bad for bones as well as the heart and lungs. Women who smoke tend to go through menopause earlier, triggering earlier bone loss. In addition, smokers may absorb less calcium from their diets.
Smoking and Osteoporosis: How Smoking Affects Osteoporosis
How Smoke and Smoking Affects Arthritis
Alcohol can also negatively affect bone health. Those who drink heavily are more prone to bone loss and fracture, both because of poor nutrition as well as increased risk of falling.
Bone Density Tests
Specialized tests known as bone mineral density (BMD) tests measure bone density in various sites of the body. These tests can detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs and predict one's chances of fracturing in the future. Rheumatoid arthritis patients, particularly those receiving corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) therapy for two months or more, should talk to their doctors about whether they might be a candidate for a bone density test.
What You Need to Know About (Steroid Drug) Corticosteroid-Induced Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis Medications
Like rheumatoid arthritis, there is no cure for osteoporosis. However, there are medications available for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Several medications and drug options are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention and/or treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women these include:
Fosamax (alendronate)
Actonel (risedronate)
Boniva (ibandronate)
Didronel (etidronate)
Evista (raloxifene)
Miacalcin (calcitonin)
Forteo (teriparatide)
estrogen/hormone therapy
Alendronate is also approved for use in men. For rheumatoid arthritis patients on corticosteroid (glucocortiocoid) drugs such as prednisone, alendronate (for treatment) and risedronate (for prevention and treatment) are approved for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
Related Resources - Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis Screening Quiz
Osteoporosis Risk Factor Quiz
Related Resources - Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis Screening Quiz
Rheumatoid Arthritis - Test Your Knowledge
Related Resources - Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile Arthritis Screening Quiz
Guide to Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Source: NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center, What People with Rheumatoid Arthritis Need to Know About Osteoporosis, Rev Date: 1/2003
Go Back To Part 1 --- Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoporosis --->
Prev12Next
Related Resources - Osteoporosis / Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis Drugs & Medication Options
Osteoporosis Screening Quiz
Related Resources - Osteoporosis / Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis Screening Quiz
Juvenile Arthritis Screening Quiz (Does My Child Have Arthritis?)
Related Resources - Osteoporosis / Rheumatoid Arthritis
Corticosteroids (Glucocorticoids)
The Facts Of Corticosteroids: Powerful and Potent Drugs
The Prednisone Quiz - True or False?
Related Articles
The Lupus–Osteoporosis Link - Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis - The Rheumatoid Arthritis-Osteoporos...
Osteoporosis - Osteoporosis Description - Osteoporosis Symptoms - Osteoporo...
Osteoporosis Vs. Osteoarthritis: Similar Names, Very Different Conditions
Guide to Osteoporosis in Men - Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Osteo...
Guides since 1997Carol & Richard Eustice
Arthritis Guides
Sign up for our Newsletter
Our BlogOur Forum
Sponsored Links
Osteoarthritis Relief
What Osteoarthritis Aids Came Out Top? See What Works. Learn More
www.thearticleinsiders.com
OsteoKing® Official Site
Non-Surgical & Herbal Treatment Promotes Repairs To Necrotic Bones
www.OsteoMedicine.com
Calcium Phosphate
Powders, Solids, Coatings for Dental, Medical, Laboratory Uses
www.himed.com
Detoxamin
the safe, gentle & proven chelation therapy alternative
www.detoxamin.com
Non-Surgical Treatment
Carpal Solution Works in 6 Weeks Awarded Top Medical Product- $79.95
www.MyCarpalTunnel.com
©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.All rights reserved.
Votes:15
Comments: 0