Osteoporosis prevention and awareness

May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Preven­tion Month — a good time to learn more about the disease that affects nearly half of all women and 20 percent of all men.

Osteoporosis, which means “porous bones,” causes bones to become thin, brittle and easily broken. Although there is no cure, osteoporosis is preventable in most cases by keeping bones strong. How? Eat a diet high in calcium and vitamin D, exercise, don’t smoke and limit alcohol use.

Early intervention can prevent devastating fractures. It is recommended that men and women aged 50 or older ask their doctor for a bone density scan to detect loss of bone mass. The scan is easy, safe and painless.