Don’t let osteoporosis ruin your retirement years. Osteoporosis, or porous bones, is a serious disease where the bones become brittle and more likely to break. The disease can be debilitating or even fatal. Osteoporosis is often though of as an old person’s disease, primarily women in their retirement years because women rapidly lose bone density after menopause. However, men can get this bone thinning disease as well.

As you age, your bones tend to weaken and thin, unless you take steps to prevent it. Unfortunately, many people do not take precautions before osteoporosis develops. The problem is that the disease develops silently without showing any symptoms, until the first bone fracture appears.

The exact cause of osteoporosis is unknown. What is known is that one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 will fracture a bone, mainly as a result of osteoporosis. According to some studies bone fractures are the number one cause of death in people over 65 years of age.

These are other factors that contribute to the development of osteoporosis:

* Deficiency in calcium and vitamin D.

* Race – Whites and Asians are more prone to osteoporosis.

* Alcohol abuse and chronic smoking contribute to osteoporosis.

* Hereditary – Family history of osteoporosis make you more likely to get the disease.

* Chronic illnesses, diseases and certain medications can cause osteoporosis.

Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis

Long before you think about retirement, you should be taking the preventive steps to prevent osteoporosis from developing. Fortunately, if you have been neglecting the health of your bone and the disease is detected in its early stages, you still can take the necessary steps to stop its development. A change to a healthy and proper diet, supplemented with a regimen of physical activity every day, and regular doctor check-ups and screenings go a long way to preventing the onset of osteoporosis and maintaining your overall health.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your retirement years:

* Exercise – At lease thirty minutes per day is optimal. Weight and strength training are strengthening bones and are great for preventing osteoporosis, as well as promoting better balance.

* A diet rich in vitamin D and calcium – Include more vitamin D and calcium in your diet to help build strong bones. Milk, dark leafy veggies, yogurt, soy products, certain fish like salmon and low fat dairy are all great sources of vitamin D and calcium. Supplements may also be used to get the minimum daily requirements.

* Regular check-ups – Visit your doctor annually to do screenings for bone density, especially after you reach the age of 50. For women near menopause, the screenings should start even sooner.

* Safeguard your home – Falling and breaking bone can be disastrous to an older person. Make your home save and secure by removing hazards that could cause you to fall. Add handrails to stairs cases or bathrooms, secure carpeting and bath mats by adding non-skid pads, install adequate lighting in and around your home so that obstacles are easier to see, will add some degree of safety to minimize falls.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help you avoid many of the problems associated with aging. This is so much truer for osteoporosis because unless we take counter-measures, bones become fragile, increasing the risk of fractures. Lifestyle changes and keeping active can help to keep your bone strong and prevent falls.

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