SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Tuesday was Osteoporosis Day. Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones weak and can puts people at risk of getting fractures. Dr. Christian Geier, a rheumatologist at SUNY Upstate, said osteoporosis is a decrease in bone density that leads to an increase in fractures.
“There’s actually this misconception that the bone is like a Halloween skeleton, it’s static and just calcium,” Geier said. “But the bone is really life and made up of cells in addition to calcium.”
Osteoporosis comes with aging and most people will develop it in their lifetime. The National Osteoporosis Foundation says about 10 million Americans have osteoporosis. Another 44 million have low bone density placing them at an increased risk for developing the condition.
Because bodies have both cells that form bones and cells that break down bones, there are lifestyle changes people can make to keep their bones strong for as long as possible. Exercise and getting enough calcium and vitamin D are ways you can prevent osteoporosis.
“What’s most effective is strength training, resistance exercises, so that there is a good amount of force placed on these cells so they get this stimulus,” Geier said. “It’s like a muscle. You have to exercise your muscles and in a sense you also have to exercise your bones. Bone cannot stay strong if there is not enough calcium in the diet. And for the calcium to be fully used also vitamin D is important.”
While there isn’t a cure for osteoporosis, there are medications used if these lifestyle changes are not enough. But prevention is key. Getting enough exercise like lifting weights and getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet will help prevent osteoporosis and low bone density.
