October 7, 2013
10/08/13 October is National Osteoporosis month and Fitness Forum is offering Heel Scan – Health Screens on Tuesday and Thursday 10/15 and 10/17 by appointment. The scan can be completed in as little as 10 minutes and you will receive your results immediately. Cost for the scan is $5 for members and $10 for non members. Call 574-936-2333 to make an appointment.
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become brittle and typically results in fractures of the wrist, hip, or spine. In some cases, the vertebrae (the bones of the spine) become so weak that they can crumble causing back pain, loss of height, and hunched posture. The resulting fractures can cause many complications that can range from disability or even death due to possible surgical complications
Anyone can develop osteoporosis. However it is more common in more highly developed nations, like the United States, than lessor developed countries. It is more common in women than men, with women having a 40-50% lifetime risk of having an osteoporotic fracture and 13-22% for men. Risk of developing osteoporosis also increased in small, thin body types; if there is a history of eating disorder, excessive alcohol consumption; smoking; family history; and sedentary lifestyle.
While osteoporosis cannot be prevented completely, there are ways to slow down bone loss through lifestyle changes, and minimize its effects. The first of these is a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D has been shown to slow the loss of bone mass. Also having an active lifestyle in which regular, weight-baring exercise is performed and refraining from excessive alcohol can mitigate bone loss.
Early detection is extremely important when it comes to osteoporosis. The earlier that changes in bone mass are detected, the greater the effect lifestyle changes can have in bone mass are detected, the greater the effect lifestyle changes can have in preventing bone loss. Bone density scans are the most common testing procedures used in determining a person’s risk of osteoporosis. This is a quick and un-invasive procedure in which a machine measurers the density of bone. If is a test that can make a huge difference in your future, so if you have one or more risk factors that were discussed above, get the test done and have a better future.