It’s never too late to take care of your bones

BJC ACO wants you to know that it’s never too late – or too early – to do something about osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle – so brittle even mild stresses like coughing or bending over can cause a fracture.

Although it’s thought of as a women’s disease, it can also affect men. Screening tests can measure the density of your bones and can detect even mild bone loss. 

Three things help keep your bones healthy throughout your life: regular exercise, adequate calcium, and vitamin D, which is essential for absorbing calcium. Adequate calcium and vitamin D can even help prevent your bones from becoming weaker if you already have osteoporosis. Drugs are available that inhibit further bone breakdown and even increase bone density.