Avera Medical Minute: Supporting bone health and awareness [Video]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – June is Bone Health Awareness Month, which is an optimal time to evaluate your risk of bone loss and osteoporosis.

Half of all women over the age of 50 and a quarter of men will experience a broken bone due to osteoporosis.

Avera Family Medicine Densitometrist Dr. Leah Prestbo says there are ways to monitor and prevent bone injury that can be done independently.

“Weight-bearing exercise is a great way to help get those bones into the best possible shape,” Prestbo said.

Weight-bearing exercise can be anything that involves putting your natural weight onto your skeletal structure.

That can be walking, hiking, running, or similar activities.

Riding a bike and swimming are not considered weight-bearing exercises because the bike or water would end up supporting most of your weight.

Getting adequate portions of calcium and vitamin D, reducing alcohol consumption, and abstaining from smoking will also contribute to better bone health.

If you already suffer from bone loss, there …