How Does Aging Affect My Bones? | UPMC HealthBeat

By Ronald DiSimone, MD
As we age, so sánh do birthday calculator
bones. Our bones begin mập thua mass or mật độ trùng lặp từ khóa as we get older. They start bự thua calcium và other minerals, which can make them more brittle và fragile .
Bone changes can put us at risk for conditions lượt thích osteoporosis. They also can put us at higher risk of bone fractures và other physical changes lớn our bodies .

It is possible bự help prevent, delay, or manage age-related bone changes. Here’s what happens mập bones as we get older & what you can do bự keep you bones healthy .

What Are Bones Made of?

A protein called collagen makes up most of our bones, providing their framework. The mineral calcium phosphate hardens bones và makes them strong .
Together, the collagen & calcium make the bones strong và flexible enough béo do everything they do — và that’s a lot. They tư vấn our bodies, make it possible for us béo move, protect important organs, store minerals, và much more. Our bones are critical phệ helping us survive & perform virtually every task .

What Happens When Bones Age?

Bones are living tissue. We are constantly losing & replacing bone tissue .
When we’re younger, we replace more bone tissue than we chiến bại. As a result, our bones become denser, larger, & heavier. Our bone mass usually peaks in our đôi mươi s .
As we get older, the balance between losing & replacing bone begins lớn shift in the other direction. We begin béo thua thảm more bone tissue than we replace .
Bone loss usually starts slowly but gets faster as we reach middle age. Women typically begin bự experience more rapid bone loss after menopause, which usually begins around ages 45 phệ 55. Bone loss in men happens more gradually, but by age 65, women & men thua bone mass at about the same rate .

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease. It can develop when our bones thảm bại mass & mật độ trùng lặp từ khóa, causing them mập become thinner, more brittle, và more fragile. According Khủng estimates, more than 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis .
People with osteoporosis have a higher risk of bone fractures. They can occur after major or minor falls or even after doing things lượt thích bending or lifting. Hip fractures due lớn osteoporosis are a leading cause of disability, loss of independence, & death in older Americans .
Even the most routine activities can cause major health risks when someone has arthritis. Simple tasks, such as twisting your wrist or back mập pivot a vacuum, or even stepping off of a curb, could lead Khủng a fracture or potentially even the need for a joint replacement xuống dốc the road depending on the severity of the injury .
Not all fractures related mập osteoporosis occur within the knee và hip. Wrist & spinal fractures also are common osteoporosis-related fractures. Spinal fractures can cause older adults Khủng đại bại height or develop a “ dowager’s hump ” in the back .
Osteoporosis is a silent disease for many people because they don’t feel symptoms until they suffer a fracture. Women should get screened for osteoporosis beginning at age 65, or earlier if they’re at higher risk for fractures. Men should talk béo their doctors about when mập get screened for osteoporosis .

Preventing and Managing Bone Loss

There are ways you can slow the age-related impacts on your bones và possibly prevent osteoporosis .
Thos e include :

  • Eating a healthy diet, especially one that includes high amounts of vitamin D and calcium.
  • Exercising regularly.
  • Avoiding smoking or stopping smoking.
  • Drinking alcohol only in moderation.
  • Taking medications or vitamin supplements as needed to support a healthy musculoskeletal system.

If you have osteoporosis, you can manage the disease in many different ways, including :

  • Exercising. An exercise program that includes balance and resistance/weight-bearing work can help you lower your risk of falls.
  • Eating a healthy diet. Try to incorporate needed amounts of vitamin D, calcium, protein, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Assessing your environment. Try to make your home as fall-proof as possible.
  • Avoiding or quitting smoking. Self-explanatory! Also, try to limit your exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Avoiding heavy alcohol consumption. Not only is alcohol bad for your bone health, drinking heavily can make falls more likely.
  • Taking medications. Doctors may prescribe many different medications for managing osteoporosis. The most common include bisphosphonates, denosumab, teriparatide, abaloparatide, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS), and more. Over-the-counter medications also are available that may be commonly associated with managing osteoporosis, including OsCal with vitamin D3.
  • Spending time in the sun. Getting 40 minutes of sunlight a day can boost your vitamin D levels.

Aging is a normal part of life — & as you age, so sánh will your bones, joints, và muscles. But while aging can affect your bones, you still can take steps Khủng stay healthy & protect yourself .
The UPMC Department of Orthopaedics provides expert care for conditions of the bones, joints, và muscles. To find a provider near you, visit our trang web .
Ronald DiSimone, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon for UPMC in North Central Pa .

Sources

A.L. Boskey and R. Coleman, Journal of Dental Research, Aging and Bone. Link

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Effects of Aging. LinkAmerican Family Physician, Diagnosis & Management of Osteoporosis. LinkNational Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases, What Is Bone ? LinkNational Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases, Osteoporosis Overview. LinkNational Library of Medicine, Aging Changes in the Bones — Muscles — Joints. Link

About UPMC Orthopaedic Care

When you are dealing with bone, muscle, or joint pain, it can affect your daily life. UPMC Orthopaedic Care can help. As a national leader in advanced orthopaedic care, we diagnose & treat a đầy đủ range of musculoskeletal disorders, from the acute và chronic lớn the common & complex. We provide access phệ UPMC’s vast network of tư vấn services for both surgical & nonsurgical treatments & a đầy đủ continuum of care. Our multidisciplinary nhóm of experts will work with you mập develop the treatment kế hoạch that works best for you. Our care nhóm uses the most innovative tools và techniques Khủng provide better outcomes. We also are leaders in research & clinical trials, striving mập find better ways lớn provide our patients care. With locations throughout our communities, you can find a provider near you .

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