OCEAN COUNTY – Osteoporosis is a common disease, accounting for more than 2 million broken bones per year in the US. Want to prevent yourself from becoming one of the 200 million people suffering from osteoporosis? The Ocean County Health Department is here to help.
The OCHD recognizes May as National Osteoporosis Month, reminding residents that there are ways to help slow or stop the loss of bone mass and help prevent fractures no matter what your age.
“Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because unfortunately for many people they don’t know they have it until it’s too late. It usually takes breaking a bone before a person is diagnosed with the disease,” stated Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, Liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health.
Start thinking about your bone health and take action now!
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends these tips to improve bone health and prevent osteoporosis:
- Get to know your risk factors: age, gender, lifestyle, medical history, family history and whether you take any medication or have medical conditions that can lead to bone loss.
- Get active: Do regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise
- Eat Your Way to Healthy Bones: Calcium, vitamin D, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats are the key to eating for healthy bones.
- Ask your healthcare provider when you should get a bone density test
- Don’t smoke and don’t drink too much alcohol: No more than two drinks a day is best for bone health
“Bones affected by osteoporosis have lower density or strength which leads to bones becoming more fragile and likely to break. Osteoporosis causes severe pain, suffering and life-altering loss of mobility – yet it is treatable and even preventable. Diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are keys to preventing and managing osteoporosis,” stated Daniel E. Regenye, Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) Public Health Coordinator.
For more information on National Osteoporosis Month and how to build and maintain strong bones for life, visit ochd.org. Check out the OCHD’s new website at phu2.org.
