World Osteoporosis Day: October 20, 2007

The National Osteoporosis Foundation wants us to take steps for strong bones by walking every day. Osteoporosis - a disease of porous bone and low bone mass leading to fragile bones and susceptibility to fractures - is both preventable and treatable. It is a major public health risk - especially for women who account for 80% of those affected.

Osteoporosis is a silent disease because bone loss occurs without symptoms and people do not realize their bones are getting weak until they have a fracture. To prevent osteoporosis:

• Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Exercise, exercise, exercise - weight-bearing, resistance-training and aerobic
• Do not smoke and limit alcohol intake
• Have bone density testing when appropriate
• take medication as indicated

We do not have to accept osteoporosis as an inevitable part of aging. Osteoporosis isn't a disease that is limited to older, thin white women. It strikes all people at different stages of life - unless you follow the tips for prevention above. Osteoporosis is costly and can be deadly- see my post in Healthline Connects Who Knew? Hip Fractures pose Greater Risk to Women than Cancers.