If you are one of the 10 million Americans diagnosed with osteoporosis, you may have a lot of questions. Like, what are you supposed to do about your brittle and weak bones, and how do you prevent losing more bone mass?
Osteoporosis is known as a “silent” disease because people often do not even know they have it until they fracture or break a bone.
How Did I Get Osteoporosis?
Our bone density is at its peak between the ages of 25 and 35 – and it declines from there. In other words, the older we get, the more bone loss speeds up and bone development slows down.
Osteoporosis involves the progressive deterioration of bone tissue, and these fragile bones are then highly susceptible to fractures and breaks – triggered by even the slightest of injuries.
Dealing With Osteoporosis
While aging is inevitable, the key to dealing with any diagnosis, especially osteoporosis, is to have a positive outlook. In addition, here are some proactive steps you can take when dealing with a diagnosis of osteoporosis:
- Practice care when moving to help avoid tumbles or spills that may fracture or break bones
- Get plenty of calcium and phosphorus to maintain healthy, strong bones and keep your muscles, nerves, and other cells functioning properly
- Exercise! It’s never too late to begin regularly performing exercises, especially strength training and stretching.
Be determined to learn all you can about osteoporosis, and do whatever it takes to keep it from putting the brakes on your active lifestyle. Talk to your doctor and other people going through the same thing you are. There are many resources and support available, in whatever forum you feel most comfortable in. Talking to your orthopedic doctor, however, is the most important. She or he will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and prescribe treatment most appropriate for your situation. Oftentimes, you will be put on a drug that slows bone loss, so the body's natural bone production can pull ahead in the race between bone growth and loss.
To learn more about osteoporosis and how to best live with this condition, call the orthopedists at OrthoUnited at (844) 469-2663 or use our online appointment request form.
