Promote Bone Health. Prevent Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis afflicts more than 10 million Americans—including 8 million women and 2 million men. Osteoporosis is an often symptom-less condition that makes bones vulnerable to breaks and fractures. Many people don’t even realize they have osteoporosis until a minor accident causes a major injury like a broken bone.

Although osteoporosis has no cure, some common sense lifestyle changes can help prevent it. But what if you’ve already been diagnosed? These few precautions can help reduce the disease’s impact on your health and mobility:

Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
Maintain a healthy weight
Use weight-bearing exercise to strengthen your bones
Avoid cigarettes and alcohol
Have an annual bone density test to detect or track osteoporosis and obtain early treatment

For more information on osteoporosis prevention, please visit:

National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Osteoporosis Overview
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/overview.asp

National Osteoporosis Foundation
http://www.nof.org/aboutosteoporosis

Preventing Falls at Home – Eldercare Locator brochure
http://eldercare.gov/ELDERCARE.NET/Public/Resources/Brochures/docs/Preventing_Falls_Brochure_pagebypage.pdf

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Last Modified: 12/20/2011 8:56:12 AM