Osteoporosis: Prevention and Treatment

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones lose mass and become weak and brittle. It affects 10 million people and causes two million fractures in the U.S. per year. Joy Wu, MD, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, discusses the testing, diagnosing, and treatment of osteoporosis. She describes the condition’s risk factors, who should get a bone density test (DXA), and what steps you can take to decrease your risk. Dr. Wu covers common medications such as Fosamax (Alendronate), Boniva (Ibandronate) and other osteoporosis medications, including the pros and cons of each. Finally, Dr. Wu answers many questions from the audience. Joy Wu, MD, PhD, is a board-certified endocrinologist who specializes in treating osteoporosis and other bone and mineral diseases. Dr. Wu is Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Gerontology and Metabolism and Vice Chair of Basic Science in the Department of Medicine at Stanford. Want to know more? Ask a Librarian. Our medical librarians are here to help you find reliable information to answer your health-related questions. We use a variety of the most current, scientifically based resources to answer your specific questions and will send you a research packet tailored to you. This is a free service open to everyone. https://healthlibrary.stanford.edu/re... Take 5 minutes for yourself. Check out Stanford Health Library's free mindfulness and meditation resources including guided meditations to help ease pain, aid in healthful sleep, promote successful surgery, and more: https://healthlibrary.stanford.edu/bo...