Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone that makes it more porous and thus weaker and more fragile. Yes, age, gender, ethnicity and family history are risk factors but the factors you can have some control over are the ones you need to focus on when considering your odds of falling prey to this devastating medical issue.
The first thing I recommend is to get a bone density test which will tell you if you have any weak bones before you break one. Ask your doctor is you should have one done. This test is non-evasive and can help you stay on top of an issue that can have life altering effects. Remember that weak bones become brittle and can break under even a small amount of stress such as bending over or even coughing. It doesn’t have to be a fall. Most breaks related to osteoporosis are in the hip, spine and wrist.
When getting a yearly physical make sure your doctor included blood work to check your thyroid. The thyroid gland controls a lot of aspects of our metabolism and this includes building bone cells. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can lead to bone loss. If you have either of these thyroid issues be sure to discuss with your doctor as to what you can do to off set the bone loss. This can include taking selenium supplements as well as thyroid replacement medication.
Some prescription medications can lead to bone loss too. Make sure you ask your doctor or even research for yourself the medications you are taking regarding this issue.
Smoking is another factor. It was recently discovered that smoking creates proteins that contribute to the breakdown of bone cells. If you smoke add this to the list of reasons why you should quit!
As we get older we often tend to get into a more sedentary life style. Too many people come home and sit in front of the TV for hours and that is after sitting at a desk all day and then sitting in a car for the ride home. If this is you I suggest you purchase a step tracker. See what your average day reflects on the number of steps you take. Then start working toward 10,00 steps a day. You will feel better and may even see some pounds disappear. Then look at adding some weight bearing exercise into your day. This you can do while watching TV! All of this can be accomplished without a gym membership if you want to avoid that. If you are looking for a gym and you are on Medicare check to see if you qualify for the Silver Sneakers Program. Bottom line – exercise helps to build bone cells.
Sun Block cream has become such a part of our society today that we forget that our bodies need vitamin D which comes from the sun. No, we don’t want to get melanoma but the facts according to the National Institute of Cancer show that medical complications from a lack of Vitamin D far surpass the chances of complications from skin cancer by nearly 10 to 1!! The number of people in the United States suffering from Vitamin D deficiency has soared over the last decades. Many doctor’s believe that besides leading to osteoporosis it also increases the chances for heart disease and diabetes. So, get some sun on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean you need to roast for an hour at high noon but get some of those awesome sun rays each week.
If you are being treated for any of the following conditions be sure and ask your doctor how your bone density might be affected and what you can do about it. These are Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Liver Disease, digestive issues, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Endocrine gland problems and cancer.
The issue of vitamin and minerals to assist you in building bone is huge. There are many sites to research to get the information on what is important. The same for foods that are big in helping the building of bone cells. Protein makes up about 50% of the volume of your bones and about 1/3 of bone mass!! Calcium is another important aspect of our diet that far too many Americans are short on today. You must do your research and along with your doctor determine what you need to change in your lifestyle regarding these two issues.
When we are young we don’t think about issues such as osteoporosis but the reality is that loss of bone mass can begin in females by mid thirties. For the most part men are tens years later showing symptoms. It is important to take steps to prevent the problem from ever starting. If you already have symptoms then make sure you take the necessary steps to begin to correct or at least slow up the bone loss.
Life is too short not to enjoy every day to the fullest. You can’t do that if you have a broken hip.