Collin County Living Well Magazine Winter 2013 | Page 16

No bones about it!
Osteoporosis should be taken seriously
By Dr. Lasaundra Watson

O

steoporosis is a disease in
which bones become weak
and can break from a minor fall or in serious cases, from as
simple an action as a sneeze. If not
prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a
bone breaks. These broken bones, also
known as fractures, typically occur in
the hip, spine, and wrist.
Fifty-five percent of Americans, 50
years of age and older, are at risk of
developing osteoporosis. Currently 10
million individuals are estimated to already have the disease, and 34 million
more are estimated to have low bone
mass, placing them at increased risk
for osteoporosis. Women can lose up
to 20% of their bone mass in the five to
seven years after menopause, making

them more susceptible to osteoporosis. While women are four times more
likely than men to develop the disease,
men also suffer from osteoporosis.
People cannot feel their bones getting weaker and may not know that
they have osteoporosis until they break
a bone. About 85-90% of adult bone
mass is acquired by age 18 in girls, and
age 20 in boys. Building strong bones
during childhood and adolescence can
help to prevent osteoporosis later in
life.
The following five steps can result
in better bone health and help prevent
osteoporosis:

•
•

Get the daily recommended amounts of
calcium and vitamin D.
Engage in regular weight-bearing and
muscle-strengthening exercise.

•
•
•

Although there is not a cure for osteoporosis, it can be treated.

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14

Collin County Living Well Magazine • Winter 2013

Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol.
Have a bone density test and take
medication when appropriate.
Talk to your doctor about bone health.