Osteoporosis - What You Need To Know
June 29, 2016 | by Valerie Michel Buck
"Strong bones, strong body." -Unknown. This is a quote I've heard hundreds of times and didn't know how meaningful it is till I started researching Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease and is often caught only after a bone fracture or break.
What is Osteoporosis?
Your body is constantly replacing bone, the older you are, the slower the bone is replaced. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that happens when the body loses too much bone or makes too little bone. Bones become weak and those with osteoporosis can break bones from a fall or even something as simple as sneezing. Osteoporosis is a common and very serious bone disease.
Do I have Osteoporosis?
You cannot feel your bones weakening over time, so consulting your doctor is the best way to determine if you have Osteoporosis. You may have bone loss if you have had other major medical conditions such as but not limited to: Arthritis; Celiac Disease; Cancer; Stroke; Parkinson's Disease; Diabetes; Scoliosis. If you have had one of these conditions, Osteoporosis should be a continuing conversation with your doctor. Osteoporosis can be determined by a painless x-ray measuring your bone density.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Loss in Height
Curvature of the Spine
Easy bone fractures or breaks
Reducing the risk of having Osteoporosis
- Weight bearing exercise and activities that promote balance and good posture are beneficial, such as walking, running, jumping, dancing and weightlifting.
- Avoid excessive alcohol.
- Avoid tobacco use.
- Avoiding falls when possible. This may mean something as easy as hiding cords in your own home or installing grab bars in high risk place such as a shower.
- Calcium. Consuming calcium whether it be in food or supplements can be beneficial. Do not take supplements of more than 2,000 milligrams daily for those over 50 as too much calcium is linked to heart problems and kidney stones. [2]
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.
Treating Osteoporosis
Though Osteoporosis cannot be cured, it can be treated many different ways. Treating Osteoporosis can be as simple as lifestyle and diet changes up to taking medications which may include hormone-related therapy. Early detection of Osteoporosis may reduce bone loss.
Osteoporosis Statistics
"One in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to Osteoporosis." [1]
Osteoporosis affects people of all ages and races but puts Caucasian and Asian women past menopause at the highest risk. [2]
Worldwide, osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually, resulting in an osteoporotic fracture every 3 seconds. [3]
Osteoporosis is such a common disease that we all should know about it and yet, many of us do not think about the disease as we age. Osteoporosis can make aging physically agonizing. The importance of taking care of your bones starts now.
[1] nof.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/
[2] mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/basics/definition/con-20019924
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