Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Winter 2021

4 HEALTH BEAT Bone up Talk with your doctor about your risk factors for osteoporosis. Ask whether a bone density test is appropriate for you. Y OUR BONES ARE THE FRAMEWORK of your entire body. Without them you couldn’t stand up, sit down or take a walk. Although it’s hard to the touch, bone is actually living tissue that’s constantly remaking itself. Old bone is regularly being removed and replaced with new, fresh bone. Depending on how we take care of it, bone can get either stronger or weaker as we age. If it gets weaker, we put ourselves at risk for falls and fractures. Every year about 2 million older Americans sustain fractures because of weak bones. You can take steps to avoid osteoporosis, a bone- thinning condition, and build strong bones and keep them strong throughout old age. It takes a commit- ment to exercise, good nutrition and healthy lifestyle behaviors. But when you’re walking tall and strong in your 70s and 80s, you’ll be glad you did it.