At least half of all women, including those in Nebraska, over the age of 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Osteoporosis is a disease where bones become thinner and weaker. Barbara Dehn is a practicing women’s health nurse and says this is often times called the “silent disease” as there are no warning signs or symptoms. Many times women do not know they have the illness until they suffer a fracture.
Dehn says one of the best things you can do is get outside in the sunlight so your body can produce more vitamin D. She says spring cleaning is also great exercise as one lifts boxes and that is much needed weight bearing exercise.
Dehn says don’t be shy about asking your doctor to perform a bone density test and then discuss options available.
Statistics show there are 1.5-million incidents each year that result in 2.6-million visits to doctor’s offices, 800-thousand emergency room visits and 500-thousand hospitalizations all related to osteoporosis related injuries. In 2002, that resulted in nearly 18-billion dollars in medical costs.