Osteoporosis is a common bone disease among aging adults, especially senior women.\u00a0 Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken which increases a senior\u2019s risk of broken bones and fractures.\u00a0 Weakened bones can also lead to chronic pain and disability, so it is important that seniors with osteoporosis seek proper treatment.\u00a0 Even though it is a very common condition, there exists no cure for osteoporosis.\u00a0 However, it can be prevented, treated, and managed.\u00a0 Here\u2019s what seniors need to know about this very common bone disease:<\/p>\n
Causes:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Osteoporosis develops as people age.\u00a0 For women, the decrease in estrogen during menopause can cause osteoporosis.\u00a0 For people who have eaten a diet low in calcium, smoked, and\/or didn\u2019t get much exercise throughout their lifetime, the risk of osteoporosis is higher. There may also be a genetic factor as osteoporosis seems to run in families.\u00a0 Women are more likely to get osteoporosis than men, but many senior men are affected by this disease.<\/p>\n Symptoms:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Osteoporosis is often called a \u201csilent disease,\u201d because it can be present without symptoms.\u00a0 Osteoporosis causes bones to lose density and become weakened.\u00a0 Seniors may not even know that they have it until they suffer a fracture or broken bone, which usually leads to the diagnosis.<\/p>\n Management and Treatment:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Osteoporosis has no cure, but it is possible to slow its progress.\u00a0 Eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D as well as exercising can maintain good bone health and help prevent osteoporosis from worsening.\u00a0 There are also several prescription medications on the market today that slow bone loss, increase bone strength and density, and even prevent fractures.\u00a0 There can be side-effects and\/or risks to these medications, however, so they must be discussed with a doctor.\u00a0 For seniors with osteoporosis, taking the steps to prevent falls is very important.\u00a0 Since falls can result in painful and debilitating fractures for those with osteoporosis, fall prevention is a large part of osteoporosis management.<\/p>\n Prevention:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Osteoporosis can be prevented if adults take the steps to prevent it throughout their life.\u00a0 Getting plenty of vitamin D and calcium in your diet is essential for bone health as is exercising.\u00a0 Weight-bearing exercise is the best kind of exercise for promoting bone health.\u00a0 These bone-strengthening activities include lifting weights, running or jogging, and stair-climbing.<\/p>\n