Today's Article

It rarely has symptoms and many don't even know they have 1osteopororis until a bone is broken after a 2minor 3fall or 4bump.

"It's not a 5painful condition but it can make your bones more 6fragile and 7prone to 8fracture, which is why falls can be so 9devastating in older individuals. Hip fractures, other fractures, etc."

Dr. Amit Shah with Mayo Clinic says healthy bones need an adequate amount of calcium and also, vitamin D, whether that's spending a short time in the sunlight or 10taking a supplement. For most people, he says that would be one-to-two thousand international units.

"Everyone wants a quick pill. If I just take some vitamin D or if I take some medicines won't I be able to keep my bones strong? And, yes, there's roles for all of those things but it's important to do some other things that’re good for the rest of your health."

That includes, not smoking, 11limiting alcohol, and focusing on 12weight-bearing exercises that can help with balance and 13muscle strength.

"Water aerobics can be great even if you have 14arthritic knees or, or hips so that can help quite a bit."

Shah says women and men should be 15screened for osteopororis. The 16recommended age varies based on 17risk factors.

"It gives people an idea of what's the 18density of your bones and, and gives you an idea of...well do you need some of the medications we have that do help to treat osteoporosis."