- Osteoporosis effects 10 million americans, and 18 million more are at significant risk
20% of those affected are men
- Osteoporosis is primarily and older person’s disease, but it can strike at any age
- In the United states alone, osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million broken bones annually
- Many people are not even aware that they have osteoporosis until a bone breaks
- Certain Risk Factors pre-dispose you to Osteoporosis, many of these Risk Factors can be avoided
- Prevention is the best treatment for Osteoporosis, and it is never too early to start
- Sedentary Life Style – when you are inactive, your bones don’t get the exercise they need to stay strong and healthy
- Poor Nutrition bones need a healthy, balanced diet to grow and remain strong
- Habits – smoking, drinking carbonated beverages, and excessive use of alcohol have been linked to loss of bone density and osteoporosis
- Medication – certain corticosteroids and anticonvulsant drugs increase you risk of osteoporosis, discuss any concerns with your doctor
Other Risk factors
- Age – risk greatly increases after the age of 50
- Hormones – women lose up to 20% of bone density 5-7 years after menopause
- Sex – 80% of osteoporosis cases are female
- Ethnicity – although all people are at risk, the incidences are higher in Caucasians and Asians.
- Exercise – Begin at any age! Bone is living tissue, and in order to grow and stay healthy, it needs to be used. Before beginning an exercise program, discuss it with your doctor or physical therapist.
- Posture – Good posture can help guard against improper stresses being placed on bones, and prevent some of the deformities associated with osteoporosis.
- Diet – a balanced diet, particularly rich in calcium and vitamin D is important for strong healthy bones. Green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli have high levels of calcium and are easy to absorb.
Remember
Eat Well
Exercise
Rest
Avoid Unhealthy Behaviors
