The fact is women are more
at risk for osteoporosis than men and more than 53 million people in America
have osteoporosis or may be on their way to developing the disease due to low
bone mass. Studies show that half of all
women over age 50 may experience an osteoporosis-related fracture during their
lifetime while men have a one in four risk.
From an early age on, women start losing bone mass faster than men do and
once the protection of estrogen drops off after menopause, the loss occurs even
more rapidly.
Several factors make certain
women more susceptible to osteoporosis.
Caucasian and Asian women and those with small, thin body types are more
at risk but it is not limited to just those groups. Also since osteoporosis runs in families, it
is important to know your family history as you have a greater chance of bone
loss if a relative had osteoporosis or a broken hip. Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption creates
more of a risk as well as long-term use of certain drugs such as prednisone,
heparin, and some anti-seizure drugs.
A simple, painless Dual
Emission X-Ray Absorptiometry scan is used to determine bone mineral density
(BMD). If your scan shows bone loss,
your doctor will discuss treatment options with you. For all women, there are some simple
preventative measures you can follow. A
healthy, balanced diet that includes calcium and vitamin D rich foods and plenty
of physical exercise protects against osteoporosis. Adding a calcium and vitamin D supplement is also
a good idea. Weight-bearing exercises
done regularly can help to prevent further bone loss.
For informational purposes only, please
consult your health care provider if you have any questions regarding your
health.
MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to
honor, to value, to invest.” We have
built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with
a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful,
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area, contact us to schedule a tour.
Sources: nof.org/, niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/
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