Did you know that something as simple as a cough or bending over can cause bone fractures in people suffering from osteoporosis? May has been designated National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month in an effort to educate men and women of their risk level and steps they can take to prevent an osteoporosis diagnosis.
What is Osteoporosis and who is at risk?
Osteoporosis is the deterioration of bone density; causing bones to become brittle and easily broken. This disease comes on silently because you cannot feel bones weakening and becoming less dense.
Osteoporosis most commonly affects post-menopausal Caucasian and Asian women, however, males and other ethnicities are also at risk.
How will I know if I have Osteoporosis?
Although you will not be able to feel your bones weakening, a few signs and symptoms that you may need to see your doctor include:
- Back Pain
- Curving of the upper spine
- Decrease in height
- A bone fracture or break that occurs easier than expected
If you experience any of the above signs and symptoms, your doctor may request that you undergo an exam that evaluates bone density, called a DEXA scan. At Clermont Radiology, we offer DEXA scans every day, year round. Click below to read more about a DEXA scan:
What can I do to prevent Osteoporosis?
Although there are factors, out of your control, that increase your risk, such as age, ethnicity, gender, illness, and hormone levels, there are several things that you CAN change to decrease your risk. Here are a few…
- Get plenty of Calcium and Protein in your diet
Consuming enough foods and beverages with calcium and protein over the course of your life can decrease your risk for early bone loss. Don’t wait until you are seeing signs and symptoms, make sure you are consuming calcium and protein each day!
- Get active
People with a more sedentary lifestyle are more likely to be affected by osteoporosis. Experts suggest that weight-bearing activities such as walking, running, jumping, dancing, skipping rope and weightlifting are especially helpful in decreasing the risk of bone loss.
How can I spread awareness?
Now that you know what osteoporosis is, who is at risk, and how you can lower your risk, participate in National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month by sharing this article with a friend!