Birthday Disease

“Why did I Fracture?” and “Why do I have Osteoporosis?” are common questions I hear from older women and men.  They are taking Calcium and Vitamin D3, eating a diet with Protein, Fruits and Vegetables, and Exercising regularly.  They are “doing everything right”, and still they have deteriorating bones.  What is wrong?

The simple answer is “Birthday Disease” – too many birthdays.  Increased Fracture Risk (Clinical Osteoporosis) is totally natural as we age.  Women after Menopause, and men after age 70, lose 1-2% of their Bone Mineral Density (BMD), and more of their Bone Strength, every year.

When I was in Medical School, 40 years ago, that was the end of the story.  Many older women (and some older men) became kyphotic (stooped over), fractured and fell, and either died or went to a nursing home for the rest of their lives.  Then, there was nothing we could do to stop it.  Today we can often prevent osteoporosis, fractures and misery.

Of course, you need to exercise and get proper nutrition through diet and supplements.  Without those, good bone health is almost impossible.  For some people, those are enough.  But we live almost 10 years longer than we did 40 years ago.  Many persons eventually need osteoporosis medications as well.  A Complete Bone Health Evaluation will discover your needs and options.

Getting old is not for wimps.  Take Control of your Bone Health and your Future.  Make it a Fracture-Free Future.

Jay Ginther, MD

Categorised in: Bone Health, Osteoporosis