HOMELESS CATS AND DOGS IN NEED OF FOREVER HOMES
April 23, 2019
OCEAN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZED
May 14, 2019
MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT…
OSTEOPOROSIS CAN SNEAK UP ON YOU!
Did you know that 200 million people are suffering from osteoporosis and that the disease is responsible for an estimated 2 million broken bones per year in the United States? Even more alarming is that 24 percent of hip fracture patients age 50 and over die in the year following surgery? Osteoporosis is an unfortunate fact of life and that’s why the Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) wants to remind residents there are ways to help slow or stop the loss of bone mass and help prevent fractures no matter what your age.
Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, Liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health, says, “Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because unfortunately for many people they don’t know they have it until it’s too late. It usually takes breaking a bone before a person is diagnosed with the disease.”
Right now is a good time to start thinking about your bone health and take action as we recognize May as National Osteoporosis Month. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends these 5 tips to improve bone health and prevent osteoporosis:
1. Get to know your risk factors: Many factors play a role in your risk for osteoporosis, including age, gender, lifestyle, medical history, family history and whether you take any medication or have medical conditions that can lead to bone loss.
2. Get active: Doing regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise is one of the best ways to protect against osteoporosis and broken bones.
3. Eat Your Way to Healthy Bones: Calcium, vitamin D, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats are the key to eating for healthy bones.
4. Ask your healthcare provider when you should get a bone density test: The painless, 10-minute test will help predict your risk of breaking a bone.
5. Don’t smoke and don’t drink too much alcohol: No more than two drinks a day is best for bone health.
Daniel E. Regenye, Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) Public Health Coordinator, added, “Bones affected by osteoporosis have lower density or strength which leads to bones becoming more fragile and likely to break. Osteoporosis causes severe pain, suffering and life-altering loss of mobility – yet it is treatable and even preventable. Diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are keys to preventing and managing osteoporosis.”
To learn more about National Osteoporosis Month and how to build and maintain strong bones for life, please visit the Health Department website at www.ochd.org. Also, please check out our new website at www.phu2.org, to access and learn more about our Public Health is You Too! campaign to help equip you to take simple steps to improve your health.
