 |
|
|
Osteoporosis…it matters:
what you and your loved ones should know
Did you know that in the U.S. 50 percent of women over 50 and 25 percent of men over 50 will suffer an osteoporosis related fracture during their lifetime? 80 percent of the 10 million Americans with osteoporosis are women. Osteoporosis is a “silent” disease, meaning many don’t realize they have it until they suffer a fracture. However, risk factors include:
- Getting older
- Being small and thin
- Having a family history of osteoporosis
- Taking certain medicines
- Being a white or Asian woman
- Having osteopenia, which is low bone mass
Therefore it is important to start incorporating calcium and vitamin D into the diet as this can help significantly decrease the amount of fracture rates.
Today, two million American men have osteoporosis and another 12 million are at risk for this disease. About 4 to 6 percent of men older than 50 have osteoporosis, and 33 to 47 percent have osteopenia (diminished bone loss). Because men have greater bone mass, they present with osteoporotic fracture about 10 years later than women. Learn more
To prevent bone-thinning experts recommend:
- Those over 50 should get 1,200 mg per day of calcium from diet or supplements.
- Those aged 51 to 70 should have 400 IU of vitamin D daily; those over 70 should have 600 IU daily. (aids calcium absorption)
- Get regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise, don't smoke and drink alcohol only in moderation.
- Get a bone density scan! Learn more about this valuable tool
- Take medication when appropriate
Information for Patients & Loved Ones
- Are you at risk of fracture? Take a brief survey to check.
- If you have severe pain due in the spine and have osteoporosis you may have a compression fracture. Learn more about what this is and treatments available.
- How does vertebroplasty work? Review a brochure.
- Review testimonials of patients who have benefited from vertebroplasty.
- Request a patient information kit!
Information for Primary Care / Referring Physicians
- There is a 15% increased mortality rate in patients who have vertebral compression fractures which are left untreated. Read more about this risk in American Family Physician publication
- Learn about the details pertaining to Medicare and Percutaneous Vertebroplasty.
|
|
