Data suggests that more than 53 million Americans are dealing with osteoporosis or are at high risk of developing the condition due to low bone mass. If you have osteoporosis, how can you reduce your risk of getting a bone fracture? Read below to get the answer.
Osteoporosis and bone fracture can disturb healthy living. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to keep your bones healthy and protect them throughout life. You can improve the health of your bones at any age. Preventive measures should be taken in childhood and should not stop there. Irrespective of your age, the habits you adopt have a great impact on bone health for the rest of your life.
The Connection between Osteoporosis and Bone Fracture
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens the bones and increases the likelihood of developing bone fractures. It involves the gradual loss of bone tissue as a person ages. The drop-in bone density makes the bones extremely fragile which in turn cause them to break more easily. This is the reasons why people with osteoporosis need to be extra careful when it comes to preventing bone fractures. The condition becomes more dangerous if you are unaware of your bone disease and were to break a bone. So how to prevent bone fracture? Continue reading to know the key to prevention.
Steps for preventing falls and related fractures
Breaking a bone after a fall becomes more likely as a person ages. Bone fracture limits the person’s activities, and in some cases, requires surgery. In such cases, the person wears a heavy cast to provide support to his/her broken bone following physical therapy to resume normal function. A large population is unaware of the frequent link between osteoporosis and bone fracture. Bone disease is known as a silent disease because it progresses without symptoms. Bone fracture due to falls is especially dangerous for people who are unaware of their low bone density. It is essential to make a diagnosis with a bone density test and treatment program for prevention. Bone loss continues, and other bone may break if osteoporosis is left untreated. If you have osteoporosis, it is crucial to protect yourself against accidental falls which may lead to fractures. Take these precaution to make your home safe.
- Keep your home free of clutter, remove all the household item that is of no use and occupying unnecessary space at your home.
- Install grab bars on the tub, shower walls, and besides toilets.
- Make sure each corner of your house is well lit.
- To avoid falls, remove slippery carpets
- Keep all your furniture in its usual place, avoid rearranging it.
Also Read: 9 Foods that can harm your Bone Health
How to build healthy bones for life?
Here are extremely effective therapies to treat osteoporosis and reduce the risk of osteoporosis:
- Get enough calcium and vitamin D- Getting an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D is essential for building strong and healthy bones. Be sure to eat 1000 to 12000 milligrams of calcium a day if you are an adult and vitamin D is important in all climates. People who do not get the daily requirement of calcium and vitamin D through their diet may benefit from supplementation recommended by the doctor.
- Exercise for bones- Weight-bearing and muscle strengthening exercises are important for maintaining bone density. Consult an expert to know more about each type of exercise and how you can incorporate in your routine.
- Diet for your healthy bones-Foods rich in calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients are not only important for bone health but also the overall health. Get enough vitamins for bones to build strong and healthy bones.
- Fall-proof your home– With age, vision begins not to fail us, and this can lead to falls. Keep your home well lit so that you can have a better vision and decrease your chance of falling and breaking your bones.
- Medications- Use of certain medications increases the chances of falling due to side effects that cause dizziness, affect your balance and make your fall. Speak to your doctor about any balance issues as well as fear of falling associated with osteoporosis.
