About 25 million Americans have osteoporosis and 80 percent of them are women. White and Asian women are most likely to get the disease and are particularly at risk if they have a family history of osteoporosis, an early menopause, or have a small body frame. Men have less risk of the disease since they do not experience the same kinds of hormone loss as they age.
Unfortunately diagnosing the first signs of osteoporosis usually occur when a person losses height or breaks a bone. Falls often cause broken bones which may mean a trip to the hospital or a long-term, disabling condition. A dual energy x-ray absorptiometry or DEXA is used to measure bone density in the wrist, hip and lower spine. Other, similar tests may be used and you can ask your doctor about them if you believe you are at risk for the disease. One method of treating osteoporosis is through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT involves the use of estrogen to replace hormones lost during menopause and can slow the rate of bone density loss.
Tips for Preventing Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is preventable and a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D along with regular, weight-bearing exercises are the best prevention. Getting enough calcium in your diet is important to build strong bones. Some healthy foods are rich in calcium include:
- Low-fat dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and milk
- Canned fish with bones you can eat, such as salmon and sardines
- Dark-green, leafy vegetables such as kale, collard or broccoli
- Breads made with calcium-fortified flour.
- Calcium supplements are another source if you are not getting enough calcium from your food. You should check with your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.
The body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium and good sources of the vitamin include exposure to sunlight and eating cereals and milk fortified with vitamin D. Exercise builds bone strength and activities such as jogging, walking or tennis are good, weight-bearing exercises. The best prevention is to be aware of the disease and to live a healthy lifestyle.
For information about how senior care can help someone with Osteoporosis, please contact "Senior Care Solutions"
at 1-877-821-2270 or (916) 965-5565. |
