If you are over the age of 65, have osteoporosis, or other health issues related to poor bone health, then you should know how to prevent hip fractures.
Too many people do not seriously think they will ever suffer a broken hip.
Human nature dictates that it will happen to the other guy.
But, waiting until the ambulance pulls up to your home, to take you to the hospital, can be a fatal mistake.
According to an article by the Globe Newspaper Company in 2006, 29% of people over the age of 64 will die within a year of breaking their hips.
The odds are even greater than the potential from succumbing to health concerns related to a stroke.
So, why do almost one third of people die within a year of suffering from a broken hip? Some say individuals are more confined, get depressed, and simply have a fatalistic attitude about their well-being in general.
However, there are also legitimate health issues that evolve after a fracture of the hip.
The biggest worry is probably circulation.
If an individual breaks an arm, he/she is still able to function for the most part.
It may be more difficult, but it does not take long to go about the business of living.
Conversely, breaking the hip leads to a very sedentary lifestyle.
Some patients cannot benefit from surgical repair, so traction is required to hold the hip in place, during the healing process.
Even if surgery is possible, it is a long and slow recovery, and it is impossible to resume a normal lifestyle, which leads to one of the biggest health issues related to a major break.
Unable to move and maintain good circulation, patients are more likely to suffer from blood clots.
Unfortunately, a blood clot in the leg does not stay in the lower extremity.
Instead, a clot can travel through the blood stream and find its way into the lung or heart.
Then, it becomes a fatal problem.
A hip fracture can lead to a pulmonary embolism.
So, now that you understand the situation, knowing how to prevent hip fractures becomes a bid deal, right? A few recommendations are:
Good Nutrition and Calcium As seniors it is sometime difficult to ensure good nutrition.
You may not have a good appetite.
But, there are products available to make sure the body is fed all the needed vitamins and minerals.
However, calcium supplements are generally needed to give less dense bones some help to prevent further depletion of bone quality.
Prescriptions To improve the quality of your bones, or at least keep from developing more brittle bones, your doctor will probably prescribe something for osteoporosis.
Faithful adherence to the regiment is important.
Ambulatory Aids With age, it is natural for the body to become less steady or have aches and pains that might adversely affect the ability to get around safely.
So, it is better to start using a cane, walker, or wheelchair before breaking a hip than waiting until something bad happens.
Home Safety Aids One of the riskiest activities for a senior to engage in, that might result in a bad break, is daily self-care.
Falls in the bathroom, getting out of bed or other seemingly normal functions can mean a trip to the emergency room.
So, home safety aids, to help prevent falls, can make a big difference.
So, do not wait until you are a statistic to learn how to prevent hip fractures.
A step in the right direction today can help increase the chances that you will have many safe and happy steps in the future.
Too many people do not seriously think they will ever suffer a broken hip.
Human nature dictates that it will happen to the other guy.
But, waiting until the ambulance pulls up to your home, to take you to the hospital, can be a fatal mistake.
According to an article by the Globe Newspaper Company in 2006, 29% of people over the age of 64 will die within a year of breaking their hips.
The odds are even greater than the potential from succumbing to health concerns related to a stroke.
So, why do almost one third of people die within a year of suffering from a broken hip? Some say individuals are more confined, get depressed, and simply have a fatalistic attitude about their well-being in general.
However, there are also legitimate health issues that evolve after a fracture of the hip.
The biggest worry is probably circulation.
If an individual breaks an arm, he/she is still able to function for the most part.
It may be more difficult, but it does not take long to go about the business of living.
Conversely, breaking the hip leads to a very sedentary lifestyle.
Some patients cannot benefit from surgical repair, so traction is required to hold the hip in place, during the healing process.
Even if surgery is possible, it is a long and slow recovery, and it is impossible to resume a normal lifestyle, which leads to one of the biggest health issues related to a major break.
Unable to move and maintain good circulation, patients are more likely to suffer from blood clots.
Unfortunately, a blood clot in the leg does not stay in the lower extremity.
Instead, a clot can travel through the blood stream and find its way into the lung or heart.
Then, it becomes a fatal problem.
A hip fracture can lead to a pulmonary embolism.
So, now that you understand the situation, knowing how to prevent hip fractures becomes a bid deal, right? A few recommendations are:
- Good Nutrition
- Calcium Supplements
- Prescriptions, if Necessary
- Ambulatory Aids
- Home Safety Aids
Good Nutrition and Calcium As seniors it is sometime difficult to ensure good nutrition.
You may not have a good appetite.
But, there are products available to make sure the body is fed all the needed vitamins and minerals.
However, calcium supplements are generally needed to give less dense bones some help to prevent further depletion of bone quality.
Prescriptions To improve the quality of your bones, or at least keep from developing more brittle bones, your doctor will probably prescribe something for osteoporosis.
Faithful adherence to the regiment is important.
Ambulatory Aids With age, it is natural for the body to become less steady or have aches and pains that might adversely affect the ability to get around safely.
So, it is better to start using a cane, walker, or wheelchair before breaking a hip than waiting until something bad happens.
Home Safety Aids One of the riskiest activities for a senior to engage in, that might result in a bad break, is daily self-care.
Falls in the bathroom, getting out of bed or other seemingly normal functions can mean a trip to the emergency room.
So, home safety aids, to help prevent falls, can make a big difference.
So, do not wait until you are a statistic to learn how to prevent hip fractures.
A step in the right direction today can help increase the chances that you will have many safe and happy steps in the future.