Top 10 Reasons

Copy for BTrue Magazine July 2014 Issue

Top 10 reasons to check your Bone Health

 10.        It’s all downhill after age 30.  You reach your maximum bone mass by about age 30.  Then you start to lose bone mass every year.  After Menopause it is 1 to 2 percent bone loss every year.  That adds up fast.

9.         You are active and want to stay active.  Weak bones can get stress fractures during sports or fun activities like dancing.  Don’t get caught doing the wrong knd of break dancing.  Strong bones require enough Calcium, Vitamin D, and Protein, as well as regular exercise.  See our recommendations at www.BoneDocBlog.com.

8.         Fractures “Suck”.  A fracture is not fun.  You could be in a cast or on crutches for months.  That really sucks.

7.         Most Iowans are low on Vitamin D.  Unless you are taking extra Vitamin D all year long, you are probably too low to absorb calcium well.  We can only get Vitamin D from the sun 5 months of the year and then only at mid-day.  Find out how much extra you need by testing.

6.         “Milk does your body good”  Milk is optional.  Calcium is not optional.  You need about 1200 mg of calcium daily in divided doses with meals.  In food is best.  Supplements with food also work.  Look up foods providing calcium on www.BoneDocBlog.com.

5.         Babies steal from your bones.  During pregnancy and nursing, your baby comes before your bones.  You will steal calcium from your bones to build a healthy baby.  Try running after a toddler with weak bones!

4.         A fracture is a Bone Attack.  It is a warning that you may have problems with bone density or bone quality.  Someone with one fracture is 2 to 5 times as likely to have a second fracture.  Bummer.  A complete bone health evaluation can identify opportunities for improvement.  Avoid that second fracture by fixing the problems.

3.         A bone density exam (DXA) involves less radiation than a flight to LA and back.  DXA is safe and much more comfortable than a mammogram, pelvic or prostate exam.  Our machine rotates, so you don’t have to.

2.         Osteoporosis is much easier to prevent than treat.    Starting to build or preserve your bones while young is relatively easy and does not require medication.  Trying to salvage serious osteoporosis after a major fracture is harder for you, and usually requires medication.

1.         60 minutes for a DXA/VFA and Complete Bone Health Evaluation can save you years of misery.  Start early to prevent that hip fracture at 70.  Or that wrist fracture at 50.  Or that foot fracture at 30.  They can really cramp your style.

A Complete Bone health Evaluation includes DXA, VFA, FRAX, CBC, CNP, TSH, PTH, 25-hydroxy Vit D level, and a consultation solely focused on bone health.  In seven years I have never seen a patient who did not have at least one bone health issue which could be improved.

Jay Ginther, MD

Categorised in: Bone Health