Women's Health
Osteoporosis
Twenty-five million Americans suffer from osteoporosis -
twenty million are women. Osteoporosis is not a normal part of aging. You are never too
young or too old to take preventive action. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become
fragile and can break easily. There are often no symptoms until a bone breaks or the spine
becomes curved or painful. The wrist, hip and spine are the most commonly affected areas.
Osteoporosis can be disabling. If you break your hip, you have a 50% chance of never
walking unaided again.
What you can do about osteoporosis:
- Getting enough calcium is one of the best ways to prevent osteoporosis — 1,000 mg
per day (1,500 after menopause). Milk is the best calcium source. It has vitamin D,
needed for your body to use calcium. (Lowfat or nonfat is best.) Other good sources:
yogurt, cheese, dark green leafy vegetables, calcium-fortified juices and cereals, and
supplements.
- Make sure your house is safe so you can avoid falls or injuries that can break bones.
- "Weight-bearing" activity every day (walking, stair climbing, skiing,
aerobics, dancing or weight training).
- Limit substances that promote bone loss: alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes. Certain
prescription drugs (corticosteroids, anti-seizure drugs and large doses of thyroid
hormone) affect bone loss. Talk to your health care provider if you take any of these
drugs.
- Make sure your house is safe so you can avoid falls or injuries that can break bones.
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Last Revised: December 29, 2004 |
