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For the fourth and last installment of our Ladies’s Well being Month weblog collection, we spoke with Lei Wang, MD, a rheumatologist with Dignity Well being Woodland Clinic. Dr. Wang shares steerage on frequent rheumatic illnesses — that are circumstances that have an effect on joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscle tissue.
What are some rheumatic circumstances girls ought to concentrate on as they age?
Dr. Wang: There are a number of frequent rheumatic problems that may have an effect on individuals as they age, together with polymyalgia rheumatica, large cell arteritis, osteoarthritis, crystal arthritis and osteoporosis. Amongst these circumstances, the next are extra frequent in girls, particularly after they enter menopause, round age 55:
- Osteoarthritis is harm to the cartilage on the finish of our bones, inflicting the bones inside the joint to rub collectively and produce ache, swelling or lack of movement.
- Osteoporosis is a lack of bone mass or density, inflicting bones to grow to be brittle and elevating the danger for bone breakage.
What preventative measures can girls take to decrease their threat of those circumstances?
Dr. Wang: Taking calcium and vitamin D dietary supplements, each that are important vitamins for bone well being. Even ladies of their early teenagers ought to get sufficient calcium of their food plan to stop osteoporosis later in life.
Wholesome life-style habits can assist cut back the danger of growing rheumatic circumstances, in addition to contribute to general good well being together with:
- Sustaining a wholesome weight
- Incorporating train into each day exercise (cardio train, weight-bearing and resistance workouts)
- Quitting or avoiding smoking cigarettes
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Eradicating potential risks from the house to stop falls or harm
Usually, osteoporosis signs aren’t noticeable, making screening particularly essential as we age. The earlier osteoporosis is detected, the earlier life-style adjustments may be carried out that may vastly cut back the danger of fractures. Ladies who’re postmenopausal and ladies over 65 years outdated must be screened for osteoporosis yearly. In case you discover a lack of top, stooped posture, low again ache, or an simply damaged bone, you must speak to your physician about screening.
Contact your major care doctor or rheumatologist to debate and schedule annual screenings, or seek the advice of our “Discover a Physician” software to discover a Dignity Well being physician close to you.
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