Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- In observance of National Osteoporosis Month, HSHS Medical Group and HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital want to remind women that it’s never too late to take care of your bones, especially when osteoporosis is at risk – which it is for many women.
About 8 million women in the U.S. have osteoporosis, which means “porous bone.” It occurs when the body loses too much bone material, makes too little new bone, or both. The bone’s honeycomb-like structure becomes less dense, which means it can break more easily than healthy bone. This often happens unexpectedly because the disease has no outward symptoms. A fall or a simple bump can lead to a broken hip, backbone (spine), wrist or other bone.
Why women are at high risk
“Older women are most vulnerable to developing osteoporosis,” says John Powell, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with HSHS Medical Group. “Their estrogen levels, which help protect bone density, decline after menopause. That’s why it’s recommended that women 65 and older get bone mineral density tests to see if they already have the disease or are at risk of getting it.” In particular, white and Asian women have the highest chance of developing the disease.
Other key factors include a family history of osteoporosis or broken bones after age 50, as well as the following:
- Having early menopause or ovaries removed before menopause.
- Not getting enough calcium or vitamin D—or both—throughout life.
- Not exercising or being on extended bed rest.
- Smoking.
- Taking medications—including medicines for arthritis and asthma or some cancer drugs—that may decrease bone density.
- Having a small body frame.
How to prevent osteoporosis or stop it from progressing
You can do a lot to help protect your bones:
- Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, and stay physically active with weight-bearing activities such as weight training, walking and climbing stairs.
- Stop smoking if you smoke, and know the risks of alcohol. Both can reduce bone mass.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being underweight can increase the risk of fracture and bone loss.
- Work with your doctor to assess your risk and options. Your doctor can offer treatment options for rebuilding bone or slowing bone loss. Also, discuss strategies for avoiding bone-loss side effects from drugs you may take for other conditions.
Talk to your doctor about ordering a bone density test at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital. If you don’t have a doctor, HSHS Medical Group’s patient advocate can help you find a primary care doctor or provider to help you manage your health. Call Kim at 844-520-8897 for help choosing a doctor and setting up your first appointment.
About HSHS Medical Group
HSHS Medical Group is the physician organization of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). Launched in 2009, HSHS Medical Group is a critical component of the HSHS Care Integration strategy, which focuses on bringing physicians, technology and patients together to improve the overall health of our communities. Today, HSHS Medical Group is comprised of over 1,300 colleagues in locations throughout Central and Southern Illinois. HSHS Medical Group is powered by the Franciscan history of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, and our faith-based identity led us to the single most important tenet of the HSHS Medical Group philosophy — patient-first care. For more information about HSHS Medical Group, visit HSHSMedicalGroup.org.
About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high-quality Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our physician practices and 15 local hospitals in two states – Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org. For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.
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