May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month
Osteoporosis - or porous bones - is known as "the silent thief" because it steals minerals from your skeleton without symptoms or pain until a bone breaks. It is a common misconception that osteoporosis is an inevitable part of growing older. Fortunately, prevention strategies are simple and practical lifestyle choices. These include a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D and weight-bearing exercises that work the bones against gravity. Not smoking and limiting alcohol intake will also help your bones stay strong.
Food sources rich in calcium include:
Fat-Free Yogurt Cottage Cheese
Skim Milk Broccoli
Canned Sardines Almonds
Dried Figs Orange juice, calcium fortified
Cheddar Cheese Green leafy vegetables
Risk factors for Osteoporosis:
Gender - women more than men
Age - the longer you live, the greater the likelihood of developing the disease
Family History - heredity
Ethnicity - Caucasian & Asian are at highest risk
Body Size - low body weight and small-boned frame place you at higher risk
Lifestyle - little or no exercise, smoking, excessive use of alcohol and low calcium diet place you at a higher risk.
To determine if you have osteoporosis or may be at risk for the disease there is a specialized test called a bone density test that can measure the bone density in various sites of the body. A bone density test can detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs, predict your chances of fracturing in the future and determine your rate of bone loss.
To schedule a DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptomitry) call our Waterbury office at 203-756-8911. We can also schedule your mammogram for you at the same time for your convenience. |
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SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
No hurricane this year - just rockin' music, vendors, raffles, and fun!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
May 19 Home-to-Home Foundation Bike
Run and Picnic
May 24 Waterbury Chamber Health Care
Council's "Social Media in Medical Practices" Leever
Center, Waterbury
June 2 Relay for Life Waterbury, Crosby High School
June 4 "Women fore Women" Golf Tournament, Country Club
of Waterbury, Waterbury
June 10 Easter Seals Family Fun Walk, Quassy Park,
Middlebury
June 20 Waterbury Chamber Health Care Council Annual
Awards Breakfast & Meeting, Crowne Plaza,
Southbury
July 9 Home-to-Home Foundation Ponte Dinner, Ponte Club
Waterbury
July 15 Shaneanigans 5K Road Race, Woodbury
July 16 Home-to-Home Foundation Golf Tournament, Oxford
Greens, Oxford
August 25 Are You Dense? MusicFest 2012, Quassy Park,
Middlebury
For more information about any of the above listed events please feel free to contact me at DRA 203-756-8911 or djohnson@draxray.com
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