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CCACC is
working hard to raise public awareness of the importance of
preventive care. In May 2021, we will promote osteoporosis
awareness, a bone disease that decreases bone density and increases
risk of fractures.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
osteoporosis is a condition where bones become fragile and porous,
and thus, are more likely to fracture. Bone mass growth slows
after the age of 30, increasing risk of developing osteoporosis.
Fractures typically occur in the hip, spine, and wrist bones. Risk
factors for osteoporosis include being female, older than 65, low
body weight, history of fractures in the family, low calcium
intake, not enough exercise, prolonged steroid use, and smoking and
alcohol use. Also, Asian females are more prone to developing
osteoporosis due to smaller bones and not drinking enough milk,
which contains calcium.
It’s important to screen for osteoporosis because there are no
symptoms until one of your bones breaks. Fractures can cause
chronic back pain, loss of height, stooped posture, disability, and
even death. A DEXA scan, which is an x-ray, typically of the hip
and lower back, will be used to test for osteoporosis by measuring
how much calcium and other minerals are in your bones. These measurements
can be used to determine what lifestyle or diet modifications and
medication regimens should be undertaken to prevent osteoporosis
and fractures.
You can reduce your risk of osteoporosis by exercising more, such
as walking, climbing the stairs, and lifting weights. Also, make
sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D, which are important for
bone health. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you
can increase calcium intake by eating certain cereals, soymilk,
salmon, vegetables, tofu, or dairy products. For people at high
risk, diet supplementation with calcium and vitamin D may be
necessary to prevent osteoporosis and reduce the incidence of
fracture. You can also talk to your doctor about medications for
osteoporosis.
At CCACC, we help patients identify risk factors and provide
education and screening tools to prevent various diseases.
Screening is one of the best ways to reduce osteoporosis symptoms.
Call us today to make an appointment for osteoporosis screening.
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