Osteoporosis is a medical condition that reduces bone density and makes bone fragile, leading to bone fractures. Osteoporotic breaks are a serious issue, especially in women over 50 years of age.
The good thing is that there are preventive measures that can help you reduce the risk of broken bones. In this article, we will discuss preventive measures for osteoporotic breaks.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is critical for reducing the risk of osteoporosis. You should ensure that your diet has enough calcium and vitamin D. Calcium helps build strong bones, while vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.
Foods high in calcium include dairy products, leafy greens, and salmon. Foods high in vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise helps strengthen the bones and muscles. Weight-bearing exercises, such as jogging, hiking, and weightlifting are particularly useful for building strong bones.
Resistance exercises, such as lifting weights, also play a vital role in preventing osteoporotic breaks. Speak to your doctor to determine the best exercise routine for your condition.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is bad for your health in general, but it also increases the risk of osteoporosis. Nicotine in tobacco reduces blood supply to the bones, making them weaker and more prone to breaks.
Smoking also reduces the amount of estrogen in women’s bodies, which reduces bone density. Quitting smoking is an essential preventive measure for osteoporotic breaks.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Limiting alcohol consumption is also vital in preventing osteoporotic breaks. Overconsumption of alcohol reduces bone density, making the bones weaker and more prone to breaks.
You should stick to the recommended alcohol limits: one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Take Medications as Prescribed
If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or have a history of bone fractures, your doctor may prescribe medications to help you prevent more breaks. These medications include bisphosphonates, hormone-related therapy, and denosumab.
Take these medications as prescribed and follow your doctor’s instructions closely.
Take Supplementary Vitamins
Supplementary vitamins can also help prevent osteoporotic breaks. Vitamin K helps the body build strong bones, while vitamin C helps maintain healthy bone tissue.
Your doctor may recommend taking supplements to ensure that you get enough of these vitamins.
Get Regular Checkups
Regular checkups are essential in detecting bone loss and other conditions that may lead to osteoporotic breaks. Your doctor may recommend bone density scans, blood tests, or other tests to assess your bone health.
Regular checkups help catch conditions early and prevent bone fractures.
Conclusion
Osteoporotic breaks are a serious issue, but they can be prevented.
Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, taking medications as prescribed, and taking supplements can help reduce the risk of broken bones. Regular checkups are also critical in detecting bone loss and other conditions that may lead to osteoporotic breaks. By taking these preventive measures, you can reduce your risk of broken bones and maintain healthy bones for years to come.