Preventing Osteoporosis Begins in Childhood and Lasts a Lifetime

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You know Osteoporosis – that debilitating disease where your posture is ruined and your bones become brittle, porous and more likely to break. While the symptoms of osteoporosis may not show until a woman is older, the root of the problem may stretch over her entire lifetime. It is crucial for children and teenagers who are undergoing peak bone growth, as well as all adult women, to learn to live and eat well to protect their bones.

Get enough calcium:
1,500 milligrams for teens

1,000 before menopause and 1,500 for pregnant and breastfeeding women

1,500 for women after menopause who are not on hormone replacement therapy

FYI: a cup of low fat milk or yogurt has 300 milligrams of calcium

Get enough vitamin D, which helps to absorb calcium. Good sources for Vitamin D are saltwater fish, liver, milk and egg yolks.

Get enough exercise. Any type of weight-bearing exercise (30 minutes daily) helps keep your bones and muscles strong. Walking, dancing, climbing steps and lifting weights all help to prevent osteoporosis.

Don't smoke. Smoking is associated with lower bone density and higher risk of osteoporosis.

Know your risk for the disease. Consider family history of disease or hip fractures, white or Asian descent, thin or small-boned body frame, smoking, alcohol intake, sedentary lifestyle and certain medications like anti-convulsants, thyroid hormone and corticosteroids as risk factors.

Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is key in preventing further damage and bone loss. Bone mineral density testing and vertebral fracture assessments can help diagnose problems and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

If you have early or advanced signs of osteoporosis, get treated. There are drug and hormone therapies to help preserve or increase bone mass, along with diet and lifestyle changes.

For more information on screening, diagnosis and treatment for osteoporosis, contact the St. Luke's Osteoporosis Center at 314-205-6633. Or visit the St. Luke's website.

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St. Luke's Hospital is a regional healthcare provider committed to improving the quality of life for patients and the community. It offers more than 60 specialty areas and was the only Missouri hospital named an America's 50 Best Hospital™ by HealthGrades® in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 based on quality.

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