The Importance of Comprehensive Bone Health

Recently the Wall Street Journal ran an article called, “It’s the deadliest room in the house – especially for seniors.” It focused mainly on the bathroom and all of the ways in which it can be conducive to falling, especially for senior citizens. I was pleasantly surprised to see this prominently displayed in the lay press. Any of you who have been my patient for a period of time know how much I stress the importance of fall prevention as part of comprehensive bone health.

I have told so many of you that the survival rate of Stage I breast cancer is 99% in this country, whereas, if a woman breaks a hip, 21% are dead within a year, and 25% are not capable of living independently. Granted, these fractures occur in much older patients, but since longevity is going through the roof, paying attention to this aspect of bone health is crucial.

For years I wrote the “Update on Osteoporosis” in the journal OBG Management. Eleven years ago, I made them change it to “Update on Bone Health.” The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), a forty-four-year-old support group, four years ago changed its name to BHOF – Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation. There is much more to comprehensive bone health, as well as overall health, than simply your score on a DXA test of bone mass.

Non-skid rugs in the bathroom, grab bars in the bathroom, walk-in shower, good eyesight and good illumination so you don’t miss a step, good footwear, practicing mindful walking especially here in Manhattan, Vitamin D supplementation, calcium rich diet, maintaining good balance, maintaining good muscle strength – this is all part of bone health. I cannot stress this enough. Next time you’re in ask me more about it. 

Dr Steven R. Goldstein is a leading Osteoporosis Specialist in NYC

He is a former Co-Directory of Bone Densitometry and Body Composition at NYU Langone Medical Center from 1997-2016 and has helped many patients with their bone health. If you are suffering with osteoporosis or want to improve your bone health, then schedule a consultation.