Osteoporosis … it's Beatable and it's Treatable is the new campaign message for the National Osteoporosis Foundation. In Utah, the message is already a reality for many of the 55,000 people diagnosed with the disease.
The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) has released a report outlining the results of a 2006 survey that asked several questions about osteoporosis, a degenerative disease that leaves bones prone to fractures.
According to the 2006 Utah Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) of Utahns age 50 and older, females were about seven times more likely than males to have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Women can lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause, making them more susceptible to the disease. Of those diagnosed, more than half of both sexes reported taking prescription medicine for osteoporosis. The survey also found that fewer men reported that they had ever had a bone density test than females. This difference in testing rates may be due to insurance plans that don’t cover the cost of screening for men.
“Sex, age and an individual’s measure of body fat, based on height and weight, all play a critical role in determining risk for osteoporosis,” said Kevin Condra, spokesperson for the UDOH Violence and Injury Prevention Program.
Individuals over age 50 are encouraged to consult their physician about whether a bone density screening test is appropriate and, if they have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, to ask whether medication could help treat the condition. Other efforts that can be useful in treating the disease include:
•A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake
• Participating in weight bearing exercises
• Bone density testing for postmenopausal women
• A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Eating foods high in vitamin D or taking a supplement
By 2020, one in two Americans aged 50 years or older will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis or low bone mass. “Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls and in Utah falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury among older adults,” said Condra.
UDOH recommends the following tips to lower your risk of falls:
1. Work with health care providers to assess medical risks for falling, including:
• Have an annual physical exam and an annual eye exam
• Review medications for possible side effects and interactions
• Be screened for osteoporosis and, if recommended by a doctor, begin a
strengthening/exercising program.
2. Check your home for hazards and correct problems as necessary, including:
• Unstable furniture and loose throw rugs
• Slippery bathroom mats
• Loose or missing stair railings
• Poor lighting, electrical cords in walkways, and clutter
• Lack of grab bars near toilets and in tubs/showers.
3. Be very selective when choosing footwear:
• Flat shoes with sturdy, non-slip soles and good ankle support are best
• Slippers are too unstable and should not be worn
• Wearing socks without shoes is dangerous, especially on wood, tile or other smooth
surfaces
• Avoid shoes with heels and replace old or poorly-fitting shoes.
BRFSS is a state-based system of telephone surveys that collect information on health risk behaviors, preventive health practices, and health care access primarily related to chronic disease and injury.
For more information on how to prevent falls, visit:
http://www.health.utah.gov/vipp/olderAdults/falls.html.
Read the osteoporosis report at:
http://www.health.utah.gov/vipp/pdf/FINAL%202006%20Osteoporosis%20Report.pdf.
The mission of the Utah Department of Health is to protect the public's health through preventing avoidable illness, injury, disability and premature death, assuring access to affordable, quality health care, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
What YOU Can Do To Prevent Falls
Department of Health & Human Services; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Falls are not just the result of getting older. Many falls can be prevented. Falls are usually caused by a number of things. By changing some of these things, you can lower your chances of falling.
You can reduce your chances of falling by doing these things:
1. Begin a regular exercise program
Exercise is one of the most important ways to reduce your chances of falling. It makes you stronger and helps you feel better. Exercises that improve balance and coordination (like Tai Chi) are the most helpful.
Lack of exercise leads to weakness and increases your chances of falling.
Ask your doctor or health care worker about the best type of exercise program for you.
2. Make your home safer
About half of all falls happen at home. To make your home safer:
* Remove things you can trip over (such as papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk.
* Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping.
* Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.
* Have grab bars put in next to your toilet and the tub or shower.
* Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
* Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Lamp shades or frosted bulbs can reduce glare.
* Have handrails and lights put in on all staircases.
* Wear shoes that give good support and have non-slip soles. Avoid wearing slippers and athletic shoes with deep treads.
3. Have your health care provider review your medicines
Have your doctor or pharmacist look at all the medicines you take (including ones that don’t need prescriptions such as cold medicines). As you get older, the way some medicines work in your body can change. Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make you drowsy or light-headed, which can lead to a fall.
4. Have your vision checked
Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor. You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition such as glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling.
Four things YOUcan do to prevent falls:
For more information, contact:
The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Mailstop K-63 Atlanta, GA 30341
http://www.cdc.gov/injury
