May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention month. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break. Often, osteoporosis doesn't cause any symptoms. Many people do not know they have osteoporosis until they fracture or break a bone. But lifestyle changes can help prevent this disease and keep it from getting worse. Visit the Web sites below for more information on how to keep your bones healthy:
www.familydoctor.org – About 80% of all Americans who have osteoporosis are women. On familydoctor.org, you can find information about what osteoporosis is and how it affects women. Find out who’s at higher risk of developing this disease and learn more about what you can do to keep your bones strong. On this site, you can also read about hormone replace therapy (HRT). Or read Osteoporosis and Raloxifene to learn about Raloxifene, a medication that slows bone loss, and is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Information in Spanish is available on this site.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoporosis/DS00128/
DSECTION=1: Mayo Clinic – Visit the Mayo Clinic Web site to learn more about all aspects of osteoporosis. On this site, you can read about the causes, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. This site also offers lots of information about how to cope with osteoporosis if you have been diagnosed with this disease. Find information about what treatments are available, including hormone and physical therapies.
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/osteopor.htm: The National Women's Health Information Center – Which bones are usually affected by osteoporosis? How do I know if my bones are weak? How can I keep my bones strong if dairy products make me sick? You can find answers to these questions and more on this Web site.
http://www.nof.org: National Osteoporosis Foundation – This Web site offers helpful information on how to prevent osteoporosis. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, learn how medications and exercise can help. On this site, you can also find information on how to prevent falls, fashion tips for women with osteoporosis and much more.
http://www.osteofound.org/index.php: International Osteoporosis Foundation – This Web site provides everything from the latest news about osteoporosis to a quiz to determine if you’re at risk of developing this disease. Learn about osteoporosis from an international standpoint and read stories from people diagnosed with osteoporosis from around the world. Information on this site is also available in other languages.
