Osteoporosis & Bones

Osteoporosis: Keeping Bones Strong

If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis you are probably wondering how you’re going to be able to keep your bones strong. A lot of people think that osteoporosis and bone loss should simply be accepted as a normal part of getting older. But they’re wrong. You can prevent further bone loss. How? By taking steps that involve lifestyle choices and medications, if needed. These steps will lead to stronger bones so you can prevent bone loss and the effects of osteoporosis.

Keep your bone structure strong and healthy with Calcium

Drink plenty of milk, eat plenty of cheese, and supplement your diet with calcium to to keep your bones strong and healthy, and prevent Osteoporosis from setting in.

Can exercise help build stronger bones if you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis?

Exercise is a key player in both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis, starting a regular exercise program is an important step you can take to prevent bone loss. That’s because lack of exercise is a major risk factor for bone loss. But it’s one you can control. You can’t change your sex, age, or family history. You can change your exercise habits.

Along with keeping bones strong, exercise strengthens muscles, gives joints more support, and keeps your joints flexible and limber. If you’ve already had one fracture, exercise and activity may help to shorten the time of recovery and decrease the amount of pain you feel. But remember, always talk to your doctor to make sure you can physically handle exercise after a fracture.

Exercise can also keep you balanced and flexible. As people age, the risk of falls becomes greater, and falling is a key risk factor for fractures? But having good balance and being flexible can protect you against falling. It will also help if you go through your house and yard and make sure they’re “fall-proof.”

Can sitting all day at an office job decrease bone mass and cause osteoporosis?

Somewhere between ages 30 and 40, many of us become less active because our jobs are sedentary. As we pass 50, this tendency to be sedentary generally increases. This can be a big problem, especially if other risk factors for osteoporosis develop.

If you work at a sedentary job all day and find that exercise and physical activity are becoming less a part of your normal lifestyle, you can do something. You can plan to add periods of physical activity throughout your day to help keep your bones strong.

How important is it to be physically active? Some interesting studies have shown that a marked decrease in physical activity, for example in people with prolonged bed rest, results in profound decline in bone mass. A prime example of what can happen can be found in the bone disorders of astronauts. Tests on astronauts who experience weightlessness show the necessity of weight bearing activity for keeping bones strong.

Can over-training result in reduced bone mass and fractures?

Interestingly, mounting evidence shows that too much physical activity can result in bone disorders. The hormonal imbalances that result from intense training may lead to decreased bone mass and low bone mass known as osteopenia. These imbalances can even lead to fractures. This phenomenon is a common experience for many young female athletes. Maintaining a constant balance of exercise and recovery is crucial to keeping osteoporosis at bay.

What else can I do to keep bones strong?

Ask your doctor how frequently you need to have a bone density test. Talk about lifestyle measures you can take, such as changing your diet, to prevent further bone loss. In addition, ask about medications to see if they might be causing bone loss. You should also ask if osteoporosis medications might help you.

There is no need to suffer from a fracture. That’s why it’s important to start today to strengthen your bones and protect them from further bone loss. Be sure to ask your doctor specific questions about the health of your bones. Then follow his or her recommendations for preventing the effects of osteoporosis.

What if I’ve already had one fracture?

If you have already had a fracture that wasn’t related to trauma, it is very important that you talk with your doctor about prevention steps. Your first fracture may be a positive thing if it causes you to recognize the problem and to take action to strengthen your bones.

Click here to review our Calcium supplement to prevent Osteoporosis and build and keep your bones strong.