What to Know About Strong Bones
Throughout our lives, our bones rebuild themselves. We need calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients plus exercise to keep our bones healthy. As we age, though, our bodies break down more bone than they are able to rebuild, which can weaken our bones and make them more prone to fractures.
Osteoporosis, which means “porous bone,” is a disease that occurs when the bones weaken to the point that they become fragile and break easily. These fractures mainly occur in the hips, spine and wrist, but any bone can be affected. Most people aren’t aware that they have osteoporosis until their bones start breaking.
Today, about 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and many more have lost enough bone mass so that they have a condition known as osteopenia, placing them at risk for serious bone loss and fractures.
For some people, a broken bone is the first indication that they have osteoporosis. Other indications can be losing height. A loss of an inch or more in height may be an indication that spinal fractures are occurring.
Doctors use a bone density test to measure bone strength. These tests are painless and safe. If your doctor diagnoses you with either low bone mass or osteoporosis, treatments are available that can stop bone loss. Medications can be prescribed that help slow the breakdown of bones. These drugs help your body maintain bone mass and reduce the risk of fractures. Additionally, you should make sure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet and exercise regularly.