Women’s Health & Their Bones

Aging of Bones

Most women starting at age 35 begin to experience bone loss. Many factors contribute to bone loss. Causes other than age and gender include: 

  • Endocrine issues such as diabetes, thyroid, or parathyroid
  • Nationality – Caucasian and Asians are at higher risk
  • Northern latitudes
  • Thin frame
  • Chronic gastrointestinal issues 

Lifestyle Modification to Improve Bone Health

Your diet is the best way to absorb the calcium, including the vitamin D, your body needs. The recommendation is 1200mg of calcium a day (best absorbed in 600mg increments) and 800 units daily.  

What are foods that are rich in calcium?

Eating balanced whole nutrition is recommended.

What is Osteoporosis? 

Bones become brittle over time due to normal tissue loss. The rate of bone loss exceeds the body’s ability to replace it putting the person at higher risk for fractures.

This process typically occurs in patients over the age of 65 unless you have multiple other risk factors. Before developing osteoporosis you may fall into a category of osteopenia.

Diagnosis

We diagnose osteoporosis with bone mineral density scans & dual energy X-ray absorptiometry test.

How to treat this issue?

We can prescribe a variety of medications (pills, injections, and infusions) to help retain bone mass effectively preventing fractures. Some of these medications are Fosamax, Boniva, Prolia, Reclast, and Forteo, which is a medication that can actually rebuild bone. 

By Sarah Watt, PA-C

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