Preventing Osteoporosis in Royal Oak, MI
Osteoporosis is a disease that is caused when the bones in our body lose minerals faster than they can be replaced and commonly affects seniors. When osteoporosis occurs, it causes bones to become fragile and more prone to serious fractures or breaks. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), low bone mass and osteoporosis affect 52 million Americans and accounts for two million fractures and $19 billion in related expenses each year.
After the age of 50, women have a 50 percent chance of suffering an osteoporosis-related fracture, while men 50 and over have a 25 percent chance.
After the first occurance, this risk increases dramatically, making osteoporosis treatment and prevention a high priority in senior care.
Give us a call at (586) 701-6948 to learn more!
How Medicine Can Help
In general, the medications used to treat osteoporosis work the same way, by blocking the effects of bone destroying cells that increase as we age. One of these, a compound called Denosumab, helps prevent the formation of these cells.
Denosumab was shown to be effective in preventing fractures for two of the populations most at risk of developing osteoporosis, men in treatment for prostate cancer and postmenopausal women.
Another class of osteoporosis medications belong to a group called bisphosphonates that behave much like the female hormone estrogen. What this means is they preserve bone mass, inhibit bone breakdown, and may even increase bone density in the spine and hips. Examples of these medications include:
- Fosamax
- Boniva
- Actonel
- Reclast
How Safe Is Hormone Therapy?
Due to the availability of other treatment options, estrogen therapy is generally not the first choice for maintaining bone density. Potential serious side effects can include the increased risk of :
- blood clots
- breast and endometrial cancer
- heart disease
Diet Plays A Major Role In Prevention!
One of the simplest ways you and your loved one can prevent osteoporosis is by maintaining a healthy diet rich in both calcium and vitamin D. It is important to remember that the amount of calcium a person needs will vary, however, according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), seniors should get around 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day with a max of 2,500 milligrams a day.
Natural sources calcium include:
- Canned salmon with the bones
- Trout
- White beans
If you are unable to get enough calcium through your diet, your doctor may recommend that you take a supplement.
Vitamin D is also a crucial part of bone health due to the way our body absorbs calcium. The amount of vitamin D obtained through sun exposure will be enough for most people but, it is also available in certain foods like fortified cereals, egg yolks, or fatty fish. Your doctor may recommend a supplement if you are still unable to get enough vitamin D through diet or sun exposure.
Get Moving And Grooving!
Doctors will often prescribe physical therapy or an exercise routine in addition to other osteoporosis treatments because of the health benefits they can offer people of any age. Regular exercise can help to improve muscle and bone strength, balance, and posture, reducing the likelihood of you or your loved one suffering from an accidental fall.
If you’d like to take things up a notch talk to your doctor about adding weight to your favorite resistance exercises.
Avoid Accidental Falls
Additionally, you can help reduce the risk of injury by taking steps to make your home, or your loved one’s, safer. Things to check for can include:
- Well lit walkways
- Area rugs that may slide
- Loose paper or boxes
Comfort Keepers® Personal Care
At Comfort Keepers®, we’re committed to providing the best possible in home senior care for your loved one. Each of our caregivers is trained in our unique approach to home care called Interactive Caregiving™, meaning they will provide support for your loved one’s physical, mental, and social health in order to help them live happily and independently in their own home.
If you’d like to learn more about our caregivers, how our senior care services are a step above the rest, or would like to schedule your free in home consultation please, contact us online anytime or call us at (586) 701-6948.
