Bone to Be Wild

Do you ever think about how much we talk about our bones but not in the medical sense? When we're tired, we're bone-weary. We laugh when a joke tickles our funny bones. We even call cool people "hip."

But when was the last time you thought about your bones? And we don't mean playing dominoes.

May is National Women's Health Awareness Month, a time to focus on health issues that primarily affect women as they age, such as osteoporosis (when you have fragile, weakened bones that are more prone to fractures).

Nearly 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and another 34 million have low bone mass—making them likely to develop the disease.

And while anyone can develop it, over 80% of people with osteoporosis are older women. That's because during menopause, estrogen levels decrease, which contributes to a drop in bone density.

Make no bones about it, once you develop osteoporosis, you're more likely to fracture your hips, spine and wrist after a fall. In fact, a break after a fall is how most women find out they have the condition—something that happens to half of all women at some point in their lives.

So, if you're 50 or older and haven't started regular density screenings, we have a bone to pick with you. Between the onset of menopause and age 60, you lose 25% of your bone mass.

Just keep in mind that the condition is not an unavoidable consequence of growing older. Sure, aging increases the risk of our "old bones" degenerating, but there are ways to reduce the chances of developing osteoporosis, including:

1. Boosting your calcium intake. This can be found in dairy products, green vegetables, fish like canned salmon and vitamin D.
2. Maintaining a healthy weight. In fact, losing as little as one pound can take up to four pounds of pressure off your knees.
3. Regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises, including walking and using resistance bands.
4. Steering clear of tobacco and moderating alcohol consumption, as both are linked to decreased bone density.

And if you want to make a decision so good you can feel it in your bones, discuss preventative strategies and osteoporosis treatment options with your doctor—especially if you experience unexplained back pain, loss of height or changes in your posture.

Back