Osteoporosis affects millions of women in the US. A woman’s risk
of breaking a hip due to osteoporosis equals her risk of breast, ovarian
and uterine cancer combined. Although frail bones are of specific concern
for the elderly, women of all ages need to take steps to keep their bones
strong as they grow older.
Dr. Shuman knows it’s important to take care of herself so she can
care for her family and her patients.
"I stress to my patients the importance of caring for themselves
at every stage of life," affirms Dr. Shuman. "Many of the choices
we make and behaviors we develop early can affect us as we grow older,
including our risk for osteoporosis. But, it's never too late to create
healthy habits."
She shares her top three strategies for osteoporosis prevention:
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Eat a well-balanced diet.--Healthy eating promotes all-around good health. Eat fruits and vegetables
that are good for bone health, like broccoli, kale, strawberries, oranges
and bananas. To build even stronger bones, be sure to get enough calcium
and Vitamin D.
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Exercise regularly.--The best exercise for you is the one that you will actually do. Whether
it’s walking, biking or working out on equipment, choose an activity
that suits you and that you will look forward to doing. To help build
and maintain strong bones, try adding some weight- bearing or muscle-strengthening
exercises into your routine.
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Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke.--If you don’t smoke, don’t start! Smoking may cause a decrease
in bone density, in addition to other more well-known health risks. If
you are a smoker, quitting can benefit you greatly.
Remember to talk to a health care provider before making any major changes
in medications, diet or exercise.
Dr. Shuman is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology by the American
Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is trained in minimally invasive
surgical techniques, including laparoscopy and da Vinci® robotic surgery.
She sees patients at
Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology in Hammond and Walker.