Now Is the Time to Prevent Bone Loss
TWENTY-TWO MILLION AMERICAN WOMEN HAVE osteoporosis, but most don't know it.
THE first sign OF THE DISEASE- - BONE LOSS -- is painless; it causes no symptoms
until A MINOR FALL BECOMES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
If you think you're not at risk, consider this: According to the National
Osteoporosis Foundation, if you are a women over age fifty, you have a one in
two chance of suffering an osteoporosis-related fracture during your lifetime.
But you can PROTECT YOURSELF.
The Vitality menopause education campaign HAS SOME EFFECTIVE, SIMPLE ADVICE
TO help prevent bone loss:
- EAT a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
- avoid tobacco and alcohol
- DO weight-bearing exercise, like walking or dancing, AND
- ask your doctor if you should take hormone replacement therapy, THE gold
standard to prevent bone loss. If you are not an HRT candidate, discuss your
medical treatment options.
Don't wait for a broken bone. Talk to your HEALTH CARE PROVIDER about your
risk for osteoporosis AND ASK if you need a bone mineral density test. For
more information, click here.
Created: 5/29/2001 - Donnica Moore, M.D.
