Are your bones breaking down faster than they're being replaced?

Did you know that your body is made up of 206 bones that support you and keep you moving? They’re made of living tissue that is constantly changing ― as old bone is broken down, new bone is formed. Most people reach their peak bone mass around the age of 30. By age 50, your bones may begin to break down faster than they are replaced, putting you at risk of developing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis, or “porous bone,” is a disease that causes your bones to become weak and brittle. According to the National Institute of Health, it is the most common type of bone disease, affecting more than 54 million people in the United States.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates 1 in 2 women will be diagnosed

Women are at significantly higher risk of developing osteoporosis, especially during and after their menopausal years. Other risk factors include a family history, smoking, living an inactive lifestyle and having a thin or small body frame.

Many women do not know they have osteoporosis until they experience a fracture or bone break. This is because you can’t actually feel your bones thinning. Gina Edison, FNP, Western OB/GYN, A Division of Ridgeview Clinics, explains, “Generally speaking, we see osteoporosis as a silent disease because, in its early stages, you don’t experience any symptoms. Many women will fracture a bone before learning they have the disease.”

Once your bones have already been weakened by osteoporosis you may experience signs such as a loss of height, back pain or a stooped posture.

Prevention through diet and exercise

It is never too late to improve your bone health. Calcium is essential to the formation of strong bones and requires vitamin D to be absorbed by the body. Incorporating plenty of calcium and vitamin D into your diet can help maintain strong bones as you age.

In addition, exercise ― specifically weight-bearing exercise ― is necessary to support bone health. “The stronger the muscle, the stronger the bone. Swimming, while a great exercise, is not a weight-bearing exercise,” Edison said. “Walking, weight-training and using resistance bands are all great weight-bearing exercises.”

Detection with a bone density scan

Because osteoporosis has virtually no signs or symptoms, screening is especially important to prevent fractures or bone breaks. Edison recommends that women begin routinely screening for osteoporosis by age 65. A bone density scan, or DEXA scan, is a quick, convenient and easy way to screen for osteoporosis. “It is an important screening for women because fractures can have a huge impact on your health and independence ― our ultimate goal is for our patients to be independent and healthy for as long as possible,” Edison said.

Discuss your personal risk for osteoporosis with your provider to decide if a DEXA scan is right for you. Schedule an appointment today.

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