Your body destroys old bone cells and builds new ones every day. This natural process is conducted by osteoclasts (the terminators) and osteoblasts (the builders). As you age, the former keep on truckin', but the latter slow down a bit. Older folks don't build new bone as fast as they destroy old bone, and the inevitable result is osteoporosis, a weakening of the bone that increases the risk of fractures.

Alendronate (Fosamax) and risedronate (Actonel) are bisphosphonates, compounds that inhibit osteoclasts from munching away on old bone, thus preserving what you already have, while osteoblasts build new bone.

Alas, as is so often the case in medicine, every bit of good news comes with a dash of not-so-good news. No surprise here: Bisphosphonates may irritate the esophagus.

You may be able to avoid this irritation if the pill passes quickly into your stomach. Proposed solution: Take your meds in the morning, on an empty stomach, with a full glass of water, and stay upright — no crawling back into bed for a snooze — for at least 30 minutes.