It’s Never Too Late to Take Steps to Protect Your Bones

It is estimated that approximately 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, which puts them at an increased risk for osteoporosis.  People may be unaware they have the disease until they fall and fracture a bone as osteoporosis does not exhibit any clear signs or symptoms.  While the disease affects both men and women, older white and Asian women (especially those post-menopausal) are at the highest risk.  Studies show one in every two women and up to one in four men age 50 years or older will break a done due to disease.  Furthermore, injuries can lead to serious complications and twenty percent of seniors who break a hip die within one year of surgery.  Many others require long-term care.   

The National Osteoporosis Foundation says it is never too late to take steps to protect our bones and prevent fractures (broken bones), and urge us to take action by adopting health habits that build and protect our bones.  One step is to eat a well-balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables as well as calcium and vitamin D.  Exercising regularly is another important component and should include weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises.  Also avoid smoking and limit alcohol to 2-3 drinks per day. 

An early diagnosis can also make a difference as osteoporosis is a disease that can be treated as well as prevented.  A safe and painless procedure called a bone mineral density (BMD) test uses a special machine to measure bone density.  It tells you the amount of bone mineral you have in a certain area of bone and can be done on different bones in your body such as hip, spine, forearm, etc.  In addition, common health conditions including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis, breast and prostate cancer, and diabetes can increase you chance of getting osteoporosis.    

At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we provide area seniors carefree retirement years with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  Beautifully designed to meet our residents’ every need, MorningStar offers a range of wellness programs and activities to engage and support physical, intellectual, social and spiritual connections.  If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek may be your answer. 

MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Visit our website to set up a tour of the finest senior living Des Moines-West Des Moines offers.

Source: nof.org/preventing-fractures/prevention/