| 44 Million People in the US over the age of 50 have | | | | Side Effects: |
| bone problems. 1.5 million Americans suffer fractures | | | | The most common side effects of the |
| due to weak bones. Half of all women over 50 years | | | | bisphosphonates are gastrointestinal. They include |
| old will have an osteoporosis related bone fracture. If | | | | systems such as:o Crampingo Nauseao Diarrheao |
| you are over 50 years old you are at risk. Some | | | | Constipationo Inflammation of the esophaguso |
| other risk factors are:o Older than 65o Experienced a | | | | Ulceration of the esophaguso Heartburno Difficulty |
| bone fracture after 50o A close relative has | | | | swallowing |
| osteoporosis or has broken a bone.o Health is pooro | | | | The list goes on with a whole host of other |
| Smokeo Underweighto Started menopause before | | | | symptoms such as dental problems, blood clotting |
| 45o Not physically activeo Suffer from | | | | problems, irritability, anemia, joint problems, muscle |
| Hyperthyroidismo Cancero Inflammatory Bowel | | | | pain, vision loss. The absolute worse side effect is |
| Diseaseo Multiple Sclerosiso Rheumatoid Arthritis | | | | irreversible and is called Osteonecrosis which is the |
| So what are the drugs that are being prescribed for | | | | inability of the jaw to heal after dental surgery or |
| millions of people worldwide to treat Osteoporosis? | | | | tooth extraction. This condition is very painful and can |
| Primarily there are three: Fosamax, Boniva and | | | | cause ulcers, infection, exposed bone and sores. |
| Actonel. There are others that are administered | | | | The problem with all these side effects is that other |
| intravenously but let's concentrate on the three most | | | | drugs are then prescribed to deal with them. So then |
| popular. | | | | we start taking an acid reducer to deal with the |
| These drugs are classified as bisphosphonates which | | | | gastrointestinal symptoms, an anti-inflammatory to |
| is an ingredient used for many years in fertilizers, | | | | deal with the inflammation symptoms, and a pain |
| soaps, laundry detergents and industrial lubricants. | | | | reliever to deal with our joint and muscle symptoms. |
| Fosamax, the best selling of the three | | | | Is this really the best way to deal with an issue that |
| bisphosphonates, is Merck's second best selling drug. | | | | until a view years ago wasn't even classified as a |
| It has topped $4 billion in sales and millions of | | | | disease? Mayo Clinic in 2006 stated that 37% of |
| prescriptions are written every year. Incidentally, | | | | women older than 50 do not meet the true criteria |
| Consumers Affairs in 2007 reported that Merck set | | | | of Osteoporosis and are wrongfully diagnosed. Why |
| aside 48 million for a defense fund against lawsuits | | | | then, the rush to get millions of women taking drugs |
| related to the side effects which for many people | | | | that are so dangerous. |
| are very debilitating. | | | | Conclusion: |
| Actonel is the second most successful drugs in this | | | | Osteoporosis is not inevitable. Regardless of genetic |
| category and coincidentally Proctor and Gamble who | | | | risks, most of us can maintain strong, healthy, |
| makes Actonel also makes laundry detergent and | | | | fracture-resistant bones throughout our lifetimes. |
| toothpaste. | | | | While a certain amount of bone loss may occur with |
| Boniva is a taken once a month - I am sure you | | | | aging, developing dietary and lifestyle habits that lead |
| have seen the commercials with Sally Field. | | | | to bone loss, exercising regularly, getting enough |
| The bisphosphonates in these drugs work by slowing | | | | calcium and vitamin D and other supportive nutrients. |
| the rate at which our bones lose their density. Our | | | | It is important to speak to your doctor about your |
| bones break down and then build back up, it their | | | | bone health since there are so many factors involved. |
| natural cycle of growth. When we are younger our | | | | Hormones play a big part in this disease so |
| bones build faster than they break down and of | | | | bio-available hormone replacement may be an option |
| course as we age this process slows down. So these | | | | for you. |
| bisphosphonates appear to be doing the job - not | | | | Ultimately, the decision about what to do about your |
| really since slowing down bone loss also inhibits new | | | | bone health rests with you. It is your responsibility to |
| bone growth. Old bones are more susceptible to | | | | get educated and there are many, many resources |
| fracture, the very condition they are trying to avoid. | | | | available.o Talk to your doctor and get prevention |
| Dr. Susan M. Ott states "Many people believe that | | | | tips as well as treatment options.o Thoroughly |
| these drugs are 'bone builders', but the evidence | | | | investigate the drugs, their claims of success, and |
| shows they are actually bone hardeners". She goes | | | | their side effects.o Learn about which food you |
| on to say "bones could become brittle with long-term | | | | should be eating that will increase your calcium |
| accumulation. | | | | intake.o Learn about how much calcium and vitamin D |
| Can bisphosphonates that are used in laundry | | | | you needo Develop an exercise program that is right |
| detergent, fertilizers and industrial lubricants be safe | | | | for you.. |
| for human consumption? | | | | |