Osteoporosis: not the least bit humerus...

Unfortunately, everybody eventually crosses paths with Father Time. 

And this is especially true where our bodies are concerned.

Do you know the expression, ‘out of sight, out of mind?’ Well, when was the last time you thought about your bones? You know, the hard, whitish tissue that makes up the skeleton inside your body.

Chances are, you haven’t given much thought about them unless you’ve had a specific problem, like breaking one. But Physicians First Messages is here to remind you that you should be leery of bone disease called Osteoporosis.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps.

The NOF says about 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Suffice it to say, the older you get, the more prone you are to contract osteoporosis.

What are the risk factors, you ask? Well, according to WebMD, age (bone mass begins to decline after age 30); gender (women over the age of 50 have the greatest risk of developing osteoporosis, and are four times more likely to develop it then men); ethnicity (research has shown that Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to develop 
osteoporosis) and bone structure and body weight (petite and thin women have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis) are some of the major factors.  

In addition, prior history of breaking bones, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are other factors.

So what can we do to prevent and/or treat such a common disease?

Well treatments include the consumption of calcium and vitamin D; weight-bearing exercise, prevention of falls and bone-friendly medicines.

Nutrition and osteoporosis are closely linked, according to WebMD. If you're not getting the right nutrients, whether in your diet or through supplements, you're putting yourself at greater risk for osteoporosis.

Physicians First Messages urges you not to wait for something to happen before you act on osteoporosis. Don’t wait to break a bone via an accidental fall.  

Ask your doctor for other ways you can avoid this possible painful disease. In the long run, you’ll be doing yourself a favor. 
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Sincerely,

John Calhoun

Owner and operator