Guest BloggerSleep Your Way to Better Bones
Did you know that most bone-building happens while you’re sleeping? That’s right! Good quality sleep during the night is crucial for building strong, healthy bones — and avoiding osteoporosis. How can that be? Well, it all starts with your circadian rhythm… which is basically your 24-hour internal clock. You have circadian rhythms that regulate all kinds of things inside your body, like your eating habits, hormone releases, body temperature fluctuations, and others. One of the most important is your sleep-wake cycle (the time you spend sleeping vs. being awake). All of these different circadian rhythms are kept in sync by
Continue readingScary Link Between Fractures and Fatalities
You’ve probably heard how a hip fracture can change your life in the blink of an eye. In fact, nearly 1 in 4 people pass away within a year of fracturing a hip. The International Osteoporosis Foundation reports more bleak numbers: 40% of hip fracture patients can no longer walk without help; a full 60% require assistance within a year; and 1 in 3 lose their independence and end up in an assisted living facility by year’s end. Yet the largest study of its kind shows any fracture after age 45 can mean the worst... Scary Link Between Fractures and
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Richard BitnerHome Care for Osteoporosis
As we grow older, bone health becomes increasingly important. That’s especially true for seniors coping with osteoporosis and those at high risk of developing it. If you provide home care for a family member who is dealing with osteoporosis, it’s important that you know how to manage the difficulties and risks of this condition. Home Care for Osteoporosis To help, the team at Visiting Angels has put together this short guide to home care for osteoporosis. In it, we’ve included many of the same guidelines that our professional caregivers follow when caring for seniors with osteoporosis. We hope you’ll find this
Continue readingOverlooked Link Between Stroke and Osteoporosis
Did you know stroke is a risk factor for falls, fractures, and even osteoporosis? It’s true! Research shows you’re 4x more likely to suffer a fracture in the year after a stroke than your average person. And another study found patients lost up to 14% hip bone density in the year after stroke! Now, if you think about it, this makes sense. After a stroke, you may have difficulty moving around. You may favor one leg. Struggle with your balance. You probably won’t get right back on your regular exercise schedule… And the less you move, the more your bone
Continue readingNew Study Highlights the Importance of “Postural Sway”
Yes, low bone density can potentially lead to a fracture. But there’s another factor that can increase fracture risk by more than 10 times! It’s something called “postural sway.” Below, I’ll explain what that is, how a new study shows it’s something to be concerned about, and — the good news! — what you can do to make it less of an issue. What is Postural Sway? Postural sway is basically how well you can maintain balance while “quiet standing” (not speaking or doing anything else). That might sound pretty straightforward, but it’s not! Just standing still is the result
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Kimberly JohnsonMay is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Prevent bone loss naturally
“Like mother, like daughter” the saying goes. Unfortunately, that saying extends beyond an inherited mischievous streak or knack for picking up languages — it’s true when it comes to our bone genetics too. May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Prevent bone loss naturally In fact, a study published in the medical journal Nature Genetics showed as many as 32 genes linked to osteoporosis and likelihood of fractures. What’s more, several studies share the common finding that measures of bone health — like bone mineral density — have a 60–80% likelihood of being explained by heredity. So if your mother or your
Continue readingSpecific Diet Changes Maintain Stronger Bones
Study Shows that Specific Diet Changes Lead to Maintaining Stronger Bones What do you eat to make your bones stronger? Specific Diet Changes Maintain Stronger Bones You likely know diet plays a big role in your bone health. But do you know what foods provide the most support for your bones? Specific Diet Changes Maintain Stronger Bones You may look to the “usual suspects” your bones prefer, like vitamin D, magnesium, and calcium-rich foods. But planning your meals around one, two, or three nutrients is short-sighted. You need to consider your FULL diet… and a lot more nutrients. Want to know what types
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Jeff DaileyWomen Must Understand Osteoporosis Risk
Women Must Understand Osteoporosis Risk The “silent thief,” more commonly known as osteoporosis, impacts 10 million Americans, with millions more suffering from low bone density. Osteoporosis is a progressive, degenerative disease that occurs when bone loss outpaces the growth of new bone, weakening the bone and increasing the risk of sudden and unexpected fractures. In fact, up to one in four men and one in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Women Must Understand Osteoporosis Risk Marc Surak, a specially trained pharmacist at the Express Scripts Therapeutic Resource Center who concentrates on
Continue readingShould Women Worry about Osteoporosis?
Should women worry about osteoporosis? Here's what you need to know The “silent thief,” more commonly known as osteoporosis, impacts 10 million Americans, with millions more suffering from low bone density. Osteoporosis is a progressive, degenerative disease that occurs when bone loss outpaces the growth of new bone, weakening the bone and increasing the risk of sudden and unexpected fractures. In fact, up to one in four men and one in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Should women worry about osteoporosis? Here's what you need to know Marc Surak, a specially trained
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