Posts Tagged ‘Bone Health’
A Mother’s Sacrifice
Mothers sacrifice many things for their children. But did you know that they sacrifice their bones? Children come first, even at the xpense of the mother’s bone health.
Before childbirth, protein, calcium, and other nutrients are directed toward the baby, at the expense of the mother’s health if necessary. After childbirth it gets worse. Nursing mothers must supply enough calcium, protein and other nutrients for the child to more than double in size. Bones are particularly hard hit as the baby’s bones begin to take on more and more calcium.
Mom Had Osteoporosis – Do I Have It Too?
If your Mom had Osteoporosis, you are also at risk for osteoporosis and fractures. If a parent had a broken hip, you are at increased risk of fracture. Choosing your parents poorly is a risk factor you cannot avoid. Your age is the biggest risk factor that you cannot control. However, you can control other risk factors.
I Can’t Have Osteoporosis – I Feel Fine
This week a patient told me “I can’t have Osteoporosis, because I feel fine!” Osteoporosis is often silent. Osteoporosis can sneak up on you. You do not feel a thing – until the first fracture. And even then you must pay attention to realize that you have been warned.
High blood pressure can hide until the first stroke, or TIA if you are lucky. High cholesterol can hide until the first heart attack, a minor one if you are lucky. Diabetes can be overlooked until your eyesight or kidneys fail, or you lose a leg to ulcers. However, all of these, including Osteoporosis, can be successfully treated before a major problem arrives!!!