Osteoporosis treatment
My mother hasn’t fallen and she probably won’t -- or even have to consider osteoporosis treatment -- but I might have to. I’m 55 and I have osteopenia, the precursor to osteoporosis.
Like all of the women in my family, my mother has the bones of an ox, so I think it’s unfair that my doctor has diagnosed me with osteopenia and has given me instructions for changing my life. Instructions like taking a calcium supplement (at least 1,200mg) with vitamin D (400 iu), exercise every day and don’t drink or smoke. I don’t like to think of myself as a candidate for osteoporosis but I suppose I am a perfect candidate with my small frame that’s over 50 years of age that loves coffee (a definite no-no in this case). But in my defence, I eat right (when I can, well, for the most part), I don’t smoke or drink alcohol and Osteoporosis doesn’t run in my family. In fact a few years ago when mom was 85 and she had a bone density test done the results were incredible! The doctor told her that she had the bones of a 20 year old! NOT FAIR!!
Even though mom doesn’t exercise at all she still comes out smelling like a rose. I, on the other hand, am reminded of the non prescription osteoporosis treatment that consists of two types of exercise: The first one is resistance (weight training) and the other is weight bearing (working against gravity like walking, climbing stairs). So with these two types of exercise they’ve learned that my bones will respond in the same way my muscles do and that they need exercise just the same as muscles. So exercise is King for three reasons that will aid in my search for a stronger frame. It’s for balance, flexibility and strength and if I can create a routine with my exercise to cover these bases then my dear old ‘vehicle in life’ will be tuned and ready for anything that may cross my path. Do you remember Julie Andrews Character Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady? Her teachers set her up for success and I often think of what they said about posture to her. I try desperately to remember to stand tall by lifting my breast bone and keeping my head erect with my eyes forward and my shoulders back. They didn’t mention tightening the abdomen muscles and her buttocks in the show, but I’m thinking they just couldn’t find the words to rhyme with “I could have danced all night.” I still remember Richard Chamberlain and how handsome he was... sigh. Oh, by the way, did I mention that dancing was an excellent exercise for my condition? Getting back to my mom, I’ve noticed her commitment to eating well and this is where I fall short at times. She’s told me time and again how important dairy is for the calcium but I’m lactose intolerant so I have to focus on other foods high in calcium like broccoli, almonds and kale. I’ve learned that too much salt can be a problem so if I want to eat a higher amount of salt then I have to increase my calcium. This rule wouldn’t apply with protein so I try to limit my protein to 45 grams a day which isn’t much! That’s 3/8ths of a cup. My mom has a walker because she’s unsteady on her feet and I hope that will be my reason if that time ever comes. I hope it won’t be because I’ve ignored my osteoporosis treatment regime.
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