This is the most common bone condition globally and affects at least one in three females over fifty worldwide. Here’s what you and your providers can do about it.
Ladies, listen up: It’s time to stop ignoring your bone health.
Osteoporosis is typically asymptomatic, which means you could have it and not even know it. Having a diagnosis of osteoporosis means that the bones are weakening, which increases the risk of a possible fracture that could require surgery or could even lead to death. In women, the risk of developing an osteoporotic hip fracture is higher than the risk of developing breast cancer.
Know your risk
The condition affects more than 200 million women worldwide, according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation.
Risk factors for osteoporosis include:
- Being Caucasian or Asian
- Having a thin build
- Alcohol misuse
- Family history of osteoporosis
- History of eating disorders
- Inactivity or sedentary lifestyle
- Menopause, especially early menopause, possibly from a hysterectomy
- Not enough exposure to sunlight
- Not getting enough vitamin D and/or calcium
- Poor nutrition
- Smoking
- Steroid use
- Thyroid problems
Take action today
The good news is that it’s never too early or too late for women to start taking care of their bones — and one of the best ways to do that is with regular weight-bearing and balance-focused exercise.
Doing weight-bearing resistance exercises such as light weight lifting or bodyweight routines is generally recommended to prevent bone loss and to help strengthen existing bone. Balance-based activities are also recommended to reduce the risk of falls.
You may be worried about how safe it is to exercise as you get older, or you may not have much previous experience with exercise and aren’t quite sure what you should do. Osteoporosis prevention and exercise go hand-in-hand; therefore, you should ask your healthcare provider or a bone health specialist about what exercises would be safe for you before starting any new exercise program.
If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, know that treatment is available and consult your physician on the best care plan. Typically, in the early stages, you can manage the condition with Vitamin D, calcium supplementation, and weight-bearing exercises. Later on in the process, or if you are at high risk of a fragility fracture, prescription medication will likely be recommended to prevent ongoing bone loss and help prevent a possible osteoporotic fracture.
Ask your general health care practitioner if you are a candidate for osteoporosis screening with a bone density scan.
Need a doctor? Follow these links to find a women’s health specialist or bone health specialist
