Probably the first thing that you notice when you haven’t seen an older relative or friend for awhile is that they look smaller. Stooped, short, and frail is not a look to be going for when you reach our age.
I had my first bone density scan last week. I am afraid that I viewed it as just another sign that I was getting older, and I wasn’t excited about it at all. It is a good thing though, and I really am glad that my doctor is on top of things like this. We all know, or should know, that the outcome will loom large in the years to come. I was relieved that it was normal. Osteoporosis is a major crippler, especially in women, and it can rob you of your independence: your ability to walk, play with your grandchildren, cook for yourself, and plant flowers in your garden or even safely climb into a bathtub.
This is not a new phenomenon. Melinda Beck (The Wall Street Journal: Tuesday, September 20, 2011) wrote about what decreasing muscle mass and bone loss can mean to us. At least now I understand why the doctor wants to know my exact height and weight every time I visit his/her office. It isn’t just a silly routine. Height loss can indicate that other things are going awry when it comes to your health. Bone loss and subsequent loss of height is something that we know might happen but rather hope it won’t happen to us. A certain amount of height loss is a natural sign of aging and not uncommon at all. However, the author pointed out that an unhealthy lifestyle does much to exacerbate the process. Once again we are reminded to eat properly, take calcium and vitamin D and exercise religiously.
The problems of bone loss go well beyond shrinking height. The most serious complication of course is the dreaded hip fracture, which can signify the end of life as you know it. A severe case of osteoporosis will definitely interfere with your desired lifestyle. Even moderate involvement can be characterized by stooped posture, chronic back pain and height loss. It even changes the way you look. You must admit that older people possessing good posture and a youthful gait look considerably younger than their contemporaries. The vertebras of the spine get thinner and tend to collapse under the weight of your body. As you collapse forward your organs are squeezed out of shape, and this creates bulges in all the wrong places. Your clothes aren’t going to fit any more.
Not everyone loses height as they get older. If you have good genes and have truly taken care of yourself you may be one of the lucky ones. Sad to say the bulk of the prevention needed to start when you were a kid. Children need adequate nutrition with an abundance of protein, vitamins and calcium. It isn’t enough to just remind kids and grandkids to eat their vegetables. Children need to know why. They need to learn before the years of picky eating, excessive dieting and crazy fads set in. This is where you come in. Set a good example.
Ms. Beck reminds us that experts say that the best way to stave off height loss and osteoporosis is to build strong bones in childhood. Of course this doesn’t mean you are off the hook now, so take yourself to the refrigerator and pour yourself a glass of milk. Talk to your doctor, be scanned, and follow his/her advice about diet, calcium and vitamin D consumption. Of course you are already aware that regular weight bearing exercise is a must.
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