May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, and keeping your bones strong is essential. Kathi Forti-Gallant, FNP, Northern Light Orthopedics shares some tips in this Q&A.
Q: What are some early signs of osteoporosis, and when should someone get screened?
A: Usually osteoporosis is a “silent disease” and that is why it is so important to decrease risk factors, discuss with your health care provider, and do bone density scans.
Osteoporosis happens when you bones become fragile/weak/brittle i.e. less dense, which increases your risk for a broken bone. Half of females and one quarter of males over the age of 50 will have a fracture due to osteoporosis and their lifetime. Some possible signs are loss of height, spinal deformity/hunched over, being less fit and weaker, nail changes, pain including back pain, fracture, receding gums, low bone density scores.
Q: What lifestyle changes can help strengthen bones and prevent bone loss?
A: Daily weight-bearing exercise, proper diet including calcium and vitamin-D enriched foods, positive lifestyle habits such as no smoking/tobacco use, avoid excessive carbonated and caffeinated beverages, limited alcohol use, fall precautions, calcium/vitamin D and education. Safety strategies to prevent fractures and falls at home, work and leisure and various activities.
Q: How does osteoporosis affect mobility and risk of fractures as we age?
A: Osteoporosis weakens bones which increases your fracture risk and often goes undiagnosed. Pain and weakness, particularly after a broken bone, can affect ambulation, the ability to live independently, and do everyday activities. A fracture increases your risk by two to six times for another fragility fracture, and less activity decreases bone density even more, which can result in becoming more frail.
Q: What are the most effective treatments or therapies currently available for managing osteoporosis?
A: Proper diet with calcium and vitamin-D, daily weight bearing exercise with fall prevention, positive lifestyle habits, no smoking, avoid excessive alcohol use or excessive caffeine or carbonated beverages, and avoiding medications that adversely affect bone health unless necessary. Be sure to have a routine follow-up with your healthcare provider, and bone density scans every two years after age 65-70.
Learn more: northernlight.org/orthopedics