Women of all ages should make bone health an important concern to avoid the pain, fractures, and time lost from athletic and life activities that occurs with osteoporosis. Strengthening your bones will help guarantee a future of strength, mobility, and reduced hospital and doctor visits! It is very important to do the best you can to protect your bones. A preventive, proactive strategy as outlined here can help you meet this goal. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is the medical term for the disease process of having bones that are fragile and more easily breakable. Osteoporosis bones look holey and thin under the microscope, similar to fragile sheer lace, rather than the tight-knit pattern of healthy bone. Osteoporosis bones have less dense structure with less hard strong calcium to hold them together and provide strength and stability. The most common osteoporosis fractures are of the hip, spine, and wrist; these often occur in older women and can be debilitating, painful, and life-changing. Not only do the fractures themselves cause problems as immediate and sometimes ongoing pain and disability, but there can be other medical complications as well, including blood clots, pneumonia, constipation, and impaired nerve function. The cost of treating fractures due to osteoporosis, including surgery, hospitalization, and medical complications, is high. Because bones in osteoporosis are so weak, fractures can also happen without falling. For these reasons, osteoporosis has become a serious issue for medical clinicians and researchers. Common Areas of Fractures Due to Osteoporosis and Their Consequences
Wrist-motion and use might never be the same; two to four months to heal Vertebra (spine)-very painful, can occur without a fall; two to four months to heal with long-term pain Hip-requires surgery and hospitalization; can be very serious; full recovery takes 6 to 12 months
Long-Term Negative Consequences of Osteoporosis
Fractures Dysfunctional and painful posture Surgery Loss of lung volume and breathing capacity Disability Poor endurance Pain Medical costs Loss of strengthHospital stays Loss of height Other medical complications
