A diet that includes an adequate amount of calcium, vitamin D , and protein should be maintained. This will not completely stop bone loss, however it will guarantee that a supply of the materials the body uses for bone formation and maintenance is available. Women who are taking estrogen should have routine mammograms, pelvic exams, and Pap smears as recommended. Patient response to treatment can be monitored with a new urine test, Osteomark, which received FDA approval in May of 1995. Progression of the disease can sometimes be slowed or stopped with treatment.
Some people become severely disabled as a result of weakened bones.
This is one of the major reasons people are admitted to nursing homes. Although osteoporosis is debilitating, it does not affect life expectancy. Bone X-rays are a rapid way of determining the presence of fractures, dislocations, and other types of bone abnormalities. The procedure has the advantage of being painless and exposing the patient to only a small amount of radiation.