National Osteoporosis Month

Do you have or know someone who has osteoporosis? This disease creates a loss of bone density and can occur as people age. It is responsible for over a million broken bones each year, and is a major cause of fractures, back pain, spinal problems and loss of independence. Many times, there are no symptoms of this disease until one receives his or her first fracture. Each year the month of May is National Osteoporosis Month. To support this month, we want to offer some key facts about this disease.

Osteoporosis is common, with around ten million Americans living with this disease today. One in two women and up to one in four men over the age of fifty will break a bone due to osteoporosis. This disease, which is not a normal part of aging, should be taken seriously. It causes broken bones, pain, suffering and can even create a life-altering loss of mobility. Through our lives, our body constantly absorbs and replaces bone tissue. In young people, the bones tend to be denser and stronger. However, starting around the of age 35 new bone tissue creation slows down, and with some people it no longer keeps up with bone tissue loss. Osteoporosis occurs when either the body loses too much bone tissue, makes too little bone tissue, or both.

Osteoporosis is treatable and preventable, but cannot be cured. Below we’ve listed some ways you can treat and prevent osteoporosis:

Maintain a healthy diet and weight

Adding enough calcium to your diet and maintaining a healthy weight are both good ways to prevent osteoporosis. Some good sources of calcium are dairy filled products. It’s also a good idea to stay away from excess sugar, carbohydrates and fatty foods.

Stay physically active

If you can, try to participate in physical aerobic activity for 20 to 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Staying active encourages bone growth and strengthens muscles to protect the bones.

Take a vitamin or supplement

If you suspect you may have osteoporosis, seek out a specialist that can help you. He or she can recommend medications, vitamins and/or supplements you can take to ease the effects of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a terrible disease that is common to a lot of people. There are ways to treat and prevent it, but this condition cannot be cured. If you think you have osteoporosis, please consult with your doctor.

For more information on National Osteoporosis Month, click here.

Article written by William Graves.