40 • The Beacon December 5 , 2024
How do you know if you are getting osteoporosis ?
Dear Savvy Senior , Can a person in their early 50s have osteoporosis ? When I fell and broke my wrist last winter , the doctor that treated me told me I might have osteoporosis .
Surprised Susan
Dear Susan ,
While osteoporosis is much more common in adults over age 60 , it can strike younger people too . In fact , according to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation , half of women and up to 25 % of men in the U . S . over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis . Here ’ s what you should know .
Osteoporosis , a disease that weakens your bones , also is called a “ silent ” disease because there are no warning signs until a fracture occurs . Around 10 million Americans over age
50 currently have osteoporosis , and an additional 44 million have osteopenia ( lower than normal bone density ), 80 % of whom are women .
Most people , by the time they reach their late 30s , gradually start losing some of their bone mass , but for women , the biggest decline happens in the five to seven years following menopause , when levels of estrogen , which helps to keep bones strong , plummets . Bone loss for men occurs much more gradually . However , by age 75 osteoporosis is as common in men as it is in women .
To help you determine your risk of osteoporosis , the International Osteoporosis Foundation has a quick online test you can take at www . RiskCheck . Osteoporosis . Foundation .
Bone checkup
According to the BHOF , all women over 65 and men over 70 should have a baseline dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan , which is a painless measurement of the calcium in your bones . But those at high risk should start around age 50 . Factors that make a good case for early screening include having a family history of osteoporosis , a broken bone after age 50 , vitamin D deficiency , a smoking habit , medical conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis , or previous or current use of medications that can weaken bones , like steroid prednisone and certain antidepressants .
Most bone density tests are covered by health insurance companies including Medicare and are done in hospital radiology departments , private radiology practices and stand-alone clinics .
Bone-builders
If your bone scan finds you have osteopenia but have a low to moderate 10- year fracture risk , lifestyle measures are usually the best course of action . Three important things you can do to boost your bone health include the following :
— Get enough calcium and vitamin D : Calcium helps keep bones strong , and vitamin D helps us absorb calcium . Women older than 50 and men over 70 need at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day ideally from foods like dairy , canned sardines , kale and fortified orange juice . Adults over 50 need 870- 1,000 IU of vitamin D each day , but that ’ s hard to get from food . Have your levels checked to see if you need a supplement .
— Exercise : Low-impact weight-bearing exercises like walking and strength training with light weights or resistant bands several times a week can actually help build bone strength , as well as improve balance and muscle strength .
— Don ’ t smoke : Women who smoke a pack of cigarettes per day as adults have less-dense bones at menopause .
Osteoporosis meds If , however , your bone density test finds you have osteoporosis , your doctor will probably recommend medications . The first line of treatment is usually bisphosphonates such as alendronate ( Binosto and Fosamax ), risedronate ( Actonel and Atelvia ) and ibandronate ( Boniva ). These oral or injectable drugs slow the breakdown of bones but won ’ t build back .
For severe osteoporosis your doctor may instead prescribe an anabolic : teriparatide ( Forteo ), abaloparatide ( Tymlos ) or romosozumab ( Evenity ). These are typically given as daily or monthly injections , and they increase the amount and strength of bones .
Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior , P . O . Box 5443 , Norman , OK 73070 , or visit www . SavvySenior . org .
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Youth leadership class meets and learns about public safety , courts
On Nov . 20 the Coshocton County Youth Leadership Class of 2025 experienced the program , Public Safety and County Courts Day .
The day was filled to the brim with activities and learning opportunities . To start the day , we met at the Coshocton County Fire Department , where the class would get a taste of the first responder life by witnessing demonstrations from the sheriff ’ s office K-9 staff , where Sgt . Stone and Cpl . Johnson explained the art of not only training , but also working with and caring for a service dog .
During this demonstration Deakon Ames , JoAnn Thompson and I received the opportunity to put on the bite sleeve to let Stone ’ s dog Charli bite the sleeve we were wearing as if we were criminals .
Next , we listened to professional presentations from the fire department ’ s Capt . Carey , who also gave us a tour of the fire department , which was one of my personal highlights as we witnessed a remaining piece of the World Trade Center .
From there the group traveled to the Coshocton County Probate / Juvenile Court . While there we were given a tour and speeches and conversations with Judge Given and Magistrate Christensen . After that , we walked to the sheriff ’ s office , where we toured the command center and learned about their drone . From there we went to the Elks Lodge , where we saw presentations about our Pay It Forward project by Courtney Snyder and Logan Fischer .
To end the day , we walked to the Coshocton County Courthouse , toured the facility , and received speeches and answered questions from Judge Batchelor and prosecuting attorney Ben Hall . For any of those who are interested in this oncein-a-lifetime program , feel free to email Director Betsy Gosnell at lead @ coshoctonfoundation . org .
This column was written by class member Caleb Kline , who is homeschooled .