Therefore, bone density may increase. The goal of treatment with antiresorptive medications is to prevent bone loss and lower the risk of breaking bones (Osteoporosis what is it?, 2008). Teriparatide, a form of parathyroid hormone, is the first osteoporosis medication to increase the rate of bone formation in the bone remodeling cycle and is in a distinct category of osteoporosis medications called anabolic drugs. This is currently the only osteoporosis medication in the U.S. that rebuilds bone. The goal of treatment with teriparatide is to build bone and lower the risk of breaking bones (Osteoporosis what is it?, 2008).

Other drugs available to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis in older individuals are Alendronate, Risedronate, Raloxifene, and Boniva.

Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2009

In an effort to protect access to osteoporosis testing, legislation was introduced to reverse the drastic cuts in Medicare reimbursement for DXA. Medicare reimbursement for DXA has been reduced to levels substantially below the cost to perform the procedure. As a result, many physicians and clinics are discontinuing this needed health service, limiting the public's access to the test and jeopardizing patients' quality of healthcare (Access to Osteoporosis…, 2009).

Works Cited

Access to Osteoporosis testing for Americans in jeopardy. (2009, Apr 3). Retrieved Apr 8, 2009, from National Osteoporosis Foundation: http://www.nof.org/news/pressreleases/2009_op_testing_in_jeopardy.htm

Bone density scan. (2008, Oct 1). Retrieved Apr 8, 2009, from Radiological Society of North America, Inc.: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=DEXA#part_one

Boughton, B. (2009, Mar 3). AAOS 2009: Osteoporosis screening and treatment for at-risk patients saves health plan $30 million. Retrieved Apr 8, 2009, from Medscape Medical News: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/588963

Calcium and osteoporosis. (2008, Nov). Retrieved Apr 8, 2009, from Health and Wellness Resource Center: http://ezproxy.ppld.org:2073/servlet/HWRC/hits?r=d&origSearch=true&bucket=ref&o=&rlt=1&n=10&l=d&items=0&c=10&tcit=1_1_1_1_0_1&docNum=A189553952&sgPhrase=false&locID=pike&secondary=false&t=RK&s=1&SU=Osteoporosis+treatment

Retrieved Apr 8, 2009, from National Osteoporosis Foundation: http://www.nof.org/osteoporosis/index.htm
Strontium, vitamin K2 can help with osteoporosis. (2009). The Townsend Letter Group, 32.

These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by progressive loss of bone density, thinning of bone tissue and increased vulnerability to fractures. Osteoporosis may result from disease, dietary or hormonal deficiency or advanced age. Regular exercise and vitamin and mineral supplements can reduce and even reverse loss of bone density.

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by progressive loss of bone density, thinning of bone tissue and increased vulnerability to fractures. Osteoporosis may result from disease, dietary or hormonal deficiency or advanced age. Regular exercise and vitamin and mineral supplements can reduce and even reverse loss of bone density.

DXA Image Gallery

Bone Densitometry

This is a typical bone densitometry study. A low dose x-ray is performed of the lumbar spine, hip (shown here) or wrist. From the resulting image/measurement, calculations can be made to determine the density of the patient's bone (T-score) and compare it to the reference standard of a healthy thirty-year-old of the same sex and ethnicity to determine future risk of fracture.

Bone density scan

A bone density scan measures the density of bone in a person. The lower the density of a bone the higher the risk of fractures. A bone scan, along with a patient's medical history, is a useful aid in evaluating the probability of a fracture and whether any preventative treatment is needed. A bone density scan has the advantage of being painless and exposing the patient to only a small amount of radiation.