What Should You Know About Osteoporosis in Durham, NC?
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 occurrence, this risk increases dramatically, making osteoporosis treatment and prevention a high priority when it comes to your senior care services. Let’s look at a few of the leading options:
Give us a call at (919) 338-2044 to learn more!
Is Medication Available?
Most of the medications used to treat osteoporosis work the same way, by blocking the bone destroying cells that increase as we age. One of these medications, Denosumab, helps prevent the formation of these cells.
In fact, 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.
Other osteoporosis medications, from a class of drugs called bisphosphonates, behave in a similar way to the hormone estrogen. Meaning 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
Always be sure to talk to your doctor about any benefits or side effects these treatment options may have. They will be able to help determine if any are right for you or your loved one.
How Important Is Diet?
One of the easiest ways you can help your loved one, and yourself, avoid the pain of osteoporosis is by maintaining a healthy diet with plenty of calcium and vitamin D.
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:
- Almond Milk
- Cooked Kale
- Perch
Osteoporosis Fighting Recipe Cards
While there are many natural sources of calcium, individuals with allergies or intolerances may still struggle with getting enough calcium from their diet and may need to take a supplement instead.
Vitamin D is essential to bone health due to the way our bodies absorb calcium and, for most people, the vitamin D they get from exposure to sunlight will be enough. Vitamin D is also found in certain foods like fortified cereals or egg yolks but, if those still aren’t enough a doctor may recommend taking a supplement.
Exercise Regularly!
While it is certainly true that a lifetime of exercise is ideal, there are health benefits to be gained from regular exercise no matter your age. In fact, we try to make moving the body and engaging the mind a daily occurrence in many ways through Interactive Caregiving!
Physical therapy or exercise is often combined with osteoporosis medication because it is an excellent way to strengthen muscles and bones and improve posture and balance, thereby making falls less likely.
Adding weight to resistance exercises is a great way to achieve the best results but, always be sure to talk to your doctor before starting a new routine.
So How About 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, or heart disease.
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:
- Furniture in high traffic areas
- Well lit walkways
- Loose floorboards or area rugs
Comfort Keepers® Is Here For You!
If you’d like to learn more about our full list of senior care services, our caregivers, or would like to schedule your free in home consultation please, contact us online anytime or call us at (919) 338-2044.
