Osteoporosis: What Preventative Measures Should You Take?

Did you know…

• The Eiffel Tower was designed using the same structure as human bones?
• The human body remodels a new skeleton every 10 years.
• Bones are the strongest at the age of 25-30?
• Bone loss contributes to fragility fractures (fall from standing height)?
• All spine and hip fractures should be treated for osteoporosis regardless of a bone density scan?

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a metabolic disorder resulting in poor bone quality and bone loss. The most common form of primary osteoporosis is age-related and most often affects women. Secondary osteoporosis more prominently affects men and is due to bone loss caused by other disease processes.

Other contributing factors that contribute to bone loss is age, endocrine, genetics, nutrition, medication, certain diseases and poor lifestyle choices.

Why Is This Important?

It is important that osteopenia and osteoporosis are treated prior to the occurrence of a fragility fracture. Fragility fractures are commonly seen in the spine, hips and distal wrist areas, and can often lead to secondary fractures. A fracture resulting from bone loss, or osteoporosis, will affect one out of two women and one out of five men. It is our aim to prevent falls that result in a bone fracture. 

Contributing Factors

• History of fragility fracture
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Exercise
• Family history
• Menopause
• Long-term steroid use
• Secondary osteoporosis

What Preventative Measures Should You Take?

Samantha McDowell, DNP, CRNP at Baldwin GYN & Aesthetics has a passion for both the elderly population and Women’s Health. In fact, she’s extremely well-versed in osteoporosis as she recently had an article published in the International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing.

McDowell says you must improve calcium intake with food or supplements. She usually recommends a 600mg supplement with breakfast. If you don’t get an additional 600mg with your diet throughout the day, then add another 600mg supplement with dinner.

Even though we live at the beach, we do not get enough Vitamin D. It is recommended to get 1000 IU of Vitamin D daily, unless otherwise directed.

Make sure to get plenty of resistance exercise in your daily routine. Resistance exercise helps to make bones and muscles stronger, which will help prevent a fracture from a fall. This can be done with small weights or stretchy band exercises.

Individuals 50 years and older should be screened for osteoporosis risk and get a bone density scan as determined by a healthcare provider. Individuals 65 and older should get a bone density scan every one to two years or as directed by a healthcare provider.