When you imagine a bone, you might think of a dry, dusty museum piece, but your bones are made up of living tissue. Your bones naturally break down old tissue and replace it with new cells.
However, as you reach your 30s, your bone mass naturally stops increasing. And, as you enter your 40s and 50s, your bones may break down faster than new growth can occur.
If you have osteoporosis, the disease causes your bones to weaken and become brittle. Your bones could lose strength for years before suffering from breaks and cracks. Osteoporosis affects many people as they get older, but the damage starts earlier than you might think. That also means that you can take steps to prevent osteoporosis when you’re still young.
At South Texas Spinal Clinic, with six locations throughout the state, our team of expert orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists provide care and support to patients who are concerned with osteoporosis.
Some people have a greater risk of osteoporosis, including women, people with a smaller body frame, people with a family history of osteoporosis, and people with lifetime vitamin D or calcium deficiencies.
Some medications, including asthma, cancer, and arthritis treatment drugs, can increase your risk of osteoporosis, as well.
You’re more likely to develop osteoporosis as you get older. Women may lose bone mass rapidly around the years of menopause due to hormonal changes, increasing osteoporosis risks. However, by the time men reach ages of 65-70, bone loss occurs just as rapidly as in women.
Throughout your life, you can take steps to prevent osteoporosis and lower your risk of brittle bones in your golden years. Here are a few tips from the team at South Texas Spinal Clinic about lowering your risk of osteoporosis:
Keep your body weight in a healthy range without becoming too thin, as being too thin can harm your bone health
As you get older, it’s more and more important to prevent osteoporosis from leading to dangerous falls and injuries. In your 60s and beyond, ensure that you’ve got enough of key nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamin D. Exercise that addresses your balance, coordination, muscle strength, and posture can help you avoid falls.
For a bone health assessment and to learn more about your risks for osteoporosis and what you can do to protect your bones, get in touch with the team at South Texas Spinal Clinic today. Schedule your consultation at our San Antonio and South Texas locations over the phone, or request an appointment online now.
