BATON ROUGE, LA – They are the framework for your body. That us why keeping your bones healthy is a must.
Dr. Angele Bourg, a rheumatologist at the Baton Rouge Clinic, said there are some things you can do to prevent osteoporsis, a condition where your bones lose tissue which cause them to be fragile.
“Studies have shown that one in two women will eventually break a major bone in their body from osteoporosis,” said Dr. Bourg. “So prevention is the key.”
Dr. Bourg said genetics and age play a huge role in a woman’s risk factor for getting osteoporosis.
“Post menepausal women that are at low body weight, especially Asian and Caucasian women, are highest risk,” said Dr. Bourg.
So, how can you prevent it?
“Ensuring adequate Vitamin D and Calcium in your diet, exercising regularly, avoiding cigarettes and heavy alcohol use,” explained Dr. Bourg. “The next thing you would do would be to prevent falls because obviously osteoporosis puts you at risk for breaking things. There are simple things you can do around your home, such as installing hand rails in slippery surfaces, or using assisted devices. Lastly, prescription medication is also indicated to prevent the disease.”
Dr. Bourg also suggest getting a bone density test, which takes just around 10 to 15 minutes.
One last thing, make sure you don’t overdue the Vitamin D.
“While it’s rare to have Vitamin D toxicity, it can be very serious. The most common consequence of Vitamin D toxicity is elevated calcium levels in your blood. This could lead to anorexia, nausea, vomitting, muscle weakness, and even kidney stones. There is a blood test that can check your level of Vitamin D, so patients who are on supplements should have this check regularly by your doctor,” concluded Dr. Bourg.
If you don’t like milk or are lactose-intolerant, there are some other options to get your daily intake of Vitamin D. You can get it from fortified orange juice, certain cereals, salmon and kale, just to name a few.
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