Half of all post-menopausal women will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining lifetime. Risk of a second fracture is five times higher, especially in the first year.
Ladies, it’s time to get educated about osteoporosis and its prevention.
Osteopenia is lower than normal bone density that is not so low to be classified as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition of such low bone density that bones are brittle and fracture easily. Not everyone makes the connection between osteoporosis and these fractures.
Diagnosis
A duel x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is recommended for all women over age 65. Those over 50 or starting menopause who have risk factors should get a DEXA scan. Risk factors include a prior fracture from a fall at standing height, a parent experiencing a fracture of from the same sort of fall, or having a disease that puts you at risk of osteoporosis at a young age. The test is painless, fast and easy.
Prevention
Learn more about osteoporosis and osteopenia. Ensure you eat plenty of vitamin D and calcium-rich foods. Stay active to improve your bone density. Find what works for you on the fitness front. Make sure it’s something you enjoy and will continue. Get on your feet for at least thirty minutes a day and use light weights to work your body. Work on balance for fall prevention.
It’s important to get your vitamin D levels tested. You may need a supplement or medication to help decrease risk of fracture and strengthen bones.
Listen as journalist Meredith Vieira and Dr. Susan Bukata join Dr. Pamela Peeke to educate about bone health and fracture prevention.
For more information about post-menopausal osteoporosis and fractures, visit www.BoneNews.com.
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Selected Podcast
Fractures & Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis
Featuring:
Meredith Vieira is a 14-time Emmy Award-winning host, executive producer and anchor. Most recently, she served as executive producer on the award-winning documentary TOWER.
Vieira hosted and served as executive producer on her own nationally syndicated daytime talk show, titled The Meredith Vieira Show, which premiered in September 2014 and ran for two seasons. Previously, she received critical acclaim for her hosting of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, The Today Show, and The View.
Vieira founded and is CEO of Meredith Vieira Productions, which develops and produces film, television, and theatre.
A native of Providence, R.I., Vieira received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University in Medford, Mass. She has three children, Ben, Gabe, and Lily, with her husband, best-selling author and journalist, Richard Cohen.
Dr. Susan V. Bukata, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at UCLA Health, Department of Orthopaedics. She is a member of the University of California, Los Angeles faculty with a significant research interest in bone fragility and bone healing.
Meredith Vieira & Susan Bukata, MD
Meredith Vieira is a 14-time Emmy Award-winning host, executive producer and anchor. Most recently, she served as executive producer on the award-winning documentary TOWER.Vieira hosted and served as executive producer on her own nationally syndicated daytime talk show, titled The Meredith Vieira Show, which premiered in September 2014 and ran for two seasons. Previously, she received critical acclaim for her hosting of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, The Today Show, and The View.
Vieira founded and is CEO of Meredith Vieira Productions, which develops and produces film, television, and theatre.
A native of Providence, R.I., Vieira received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University in Medford, Mass. She has three children, Ben, Gabe, and Lily, with her husband, best-selling author and journalist, Richard Cohen.
Dr. Susan V. Bukata, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at UCLA Health, Department of Orthopaedics. She is a member of the University of California, Los Angeles faculty with a significant research interest in bone fragility and bone healing. Prior to joining the UCLA Orthopaedic Center faculty, Dr. Bukata spent eight years on faculty at the University of Rochester, where she helped develop and implement the Geriatric Fracture treatment algorithm now followed around the world. She is a member of the National Osteoporosis Foundation Board of Trustees.