May is National Osteoporosis Month

Our friends at American Bone Health teach people how to build and keep strong and healthy bones for life. They provide practical and up-to-date resources with information to prevent bone loss, osteoporosis and fractures. In honor of National Osteoporosis Month, American Bone Health is getting you caught up on some facts about this common and often debilitating medical condition.

• Osteoporosis is marked by bones that have become weak and brittle due to a loss of density and structure. The weakened bones — particularly the spinal vertebrae, hips and wrists — are prone to fracture from low-impact events such as a fall from standing height.
• Bone loss that leads to osteoporosis is typically caused by hormonal changes or a lack of calcium and/or vitamin D in the body. Osteoporosis most often affects postmenopausal women when a sharp drop in estrogen can cause a loss of up to 25 percent of bone density.
• Osteoporosis is sometimes called “a silent thief” because many people don’t know they are affected until they suffer a broken bone.
• More than 50 million Americans are believed to have osteoporosis or low bone density that places them at a higher risk for fracture.
• One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have a broken bone because of osteoporosis. You don’t have to be one of those statistics.

Would you like to learn more about osteoporosis? American Bone Health’s website, americanbonehealth.org, is full of resources and information to empower you to have a meaningful conversation with your health care team about protecting your bones.

Straight Talk from the Pink Bubble – How Does the 3-Day Keep You Healthy? Walking is good exercise. Weight-bearing exercise helps keep your bones strong. The aerobic aspect also strengthens your heart. The 3-Day is a special event that has a positive effect on your mental health. The feeling of accomplishment is amazing and you meet great people along the way. Everyone is always positive and encouraging. I look forward to it every year! Karen K., 3-Day Walker and Crew Member

Next time, we’ll cover everything you need to know to keep you healthy from the inside out. Healthy lifestyle choices, bone density and fracture risk, and the “S word.” Stretching!

This email is a part of the Healthy Living: Preparing your Mind, Body and Bones for the 3-Day Series. To catch up on blogs and emails about Healthy Living, click here..

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