Osteoporosis is a disease that makes your bones weak. People with the disease can break their bones too easily. For instance, people with osteoporosis sometimes break a bone after falling down at home.
Breaking a bone can be serious, especially if the bone is in the hip. People who break a hip sometimes lose the ability to walk on their own. Many of them end up in a nursing home. That’s why it is so important to avoid breaking a bone in the first place.
How do I know if I have osteoporosis? — Osteoporosis does not cause symptoms until you break a bone. But your doctor or nurse can have you tested for it. The best test is a bone density test called the “DXA test.” It is a special kind of X-ray.
Experts recommend bone density testing for women older than 65. That is because women in this age group have the highest risk of osteoporosis. Still, other people should sometimes be tested, too. Ask your doctor or nurse if you should be tested.
Some people learn that they have osteoporosis because they break a bone during a fall or a mild impact. This is called a “fragility fracture,” because people with healthy bones should not break a bone that easily. People who have fragility fractures are at high risk of having other bones break.
What can I do to keep my bones as healthy as possible? — You can:
Eat foods with a lot of calcium, such as milk, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables
Do your best to keep from falling, too — It sounds simple, but you can prevent a lot of fractures by reducing the chances of a fall. To do that:
Make sure all your rugs have a no-slip backing to keep them in place
Can osteoporosis be treated? — Yes, there are a few medicines to treat osteoporosis. These medicines can reduce the chances that you will break a bone
What do osteoporosis medicines do? — If you have osteoporosis or a high risk of breaking a bone, the medicines your doctor prescribes can:
œReduce bone loss
œIncrease bone density or keep it about the same
œReduce the chances that you will break a bone
For the medicines to work, you must also take calcium and vitamin D supplements.
ROSEWOOD HEALTH CARE
2480 ROSEWOOD DRIVE MOUNT PLEASANT, MI 48858-5003