May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month – a time to raise awareness of osteoporosis, a bone-weakening condition that raises the risk of fractures and affects more than 10 million Americans. The good news is that early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis can help slow bone loss and prevent fractures.
Yet, because osteoporosis is treatable with medications, lifestyle changes and exercise, it’s also a good time to pass along a reminder about the importance of medication adherence. For example, it’s estimated that more than half of the medications prescribed for people with chronic diseases aren’t taken as directed. Read on!
Did you know … ?
- Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease” because bone loss occurs without warning signs or symptoms until you break a bone.
- Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men, but it can affect people of all ages and ethnicities.
- One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Worldwide, an osteoporosis fracture occurs about every three seconds.
- Screening typically includes a medical history review, physical exam and bone density test. The most common test is a noninvasive, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, which uses low-level radiation to measure bone mineral density in the hip and spine.
You have a higher risk of osteoporosis if:
- You have a family history of osteoporosis.
- You smoke.
- You have more than two alcoholic drinks per day.
- You’re a woman who went through menopause before age 45.
- You’ve lost about an inch in height.
- You’re underweight (body mass index, or BMI, lower than 19).
- You have a digestive disease like Crohn’s or celiac disease
What can I do if I’m at risk?
Take control of your bone health. Some risk factors are out of your control. Others relate to your lifestyle. Take these steps to help lower your risk and keep your bones healthy:
- Talk to your doctor and ask for a bone density test. Medicine and a treatment plan can lower your fracture risk up to 70%.
- Get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. It doesn’t have to be much – ask your doctor about an exercise plan.
- Get enough calcium and vitamin D. Ask your doctor about ways to increase your intake.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking doubles the risk of osteoporosis.
- Limit alcohol to no more than two alcoholic drinks per day for men, one drink for women.
Take your medication as directed.
As your health plan, we care about you, and we’re here to provide you with tips and tricks on how to remember to take your medicines and how to get 90-day refills and home delivery for your meds:
- It’s important to take your medications every day for whatever condition you have – at the right time of day, in the right dosage and the right number of times.
- Use a pillbox or reminder system to help you stay on track.
- What medications do you need refills on? We’ve partnered with Optum Rx® to offer home delivery of prescription medications and potential savings on three-month supplies. Choose one of three easy options to sign up:
- E-prescribe – Your doctor must send an electronic prescription to Optum Rx.
- Online – Visit OptumRx.com or use the Optum Rx app.
- Phone – Call the Optum Rx toll-free number on your ID card.
Learn more online.
Click here to listen to our previous podcast about osteoporosis and medication adherence. And also check out these links for more information:
- Read all about the diagnosis, treatment and management of osteoporosis, from the experts at the National Institutes of Health.
- Learn more about DEXA scans that measure your bone density and strength, on this webpage from the CDC.
And discover even more on our website and from our partners at Riverside Healthcare and Memorial Health.