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Osteoporosis.

It is generally associated with elderly women. We picture them as tiny and frail; but this is not always the case.

Obese people can have osteoporosis too. Mostly it is attributed to the decline of calcium in the body with age. Women are generally more affected than men, especially after menopause. In fact, recent studies have suggested that any woman, regardless of age, who goes through menopause is at great risk for developing this disease.

As a nurse caring for elderly patients, I frequently administer calcium and vitamin D supplements for osteoporosis. We monitor those afflicted carefully for falls, or any other sign of fracture. At times, the especially frail can have broken arms simply from laying on them for too long.

Some patients take weekly medications like Actonel. This is supposed to help maintain bone mass. Sally Fields is on TV talking about once a month Boniva; which does essentially the same thing but with the convenience of a monthly dose instead of a weekly one. Usually, these meds are used in conjunction with calcium supplements(with or without vitamin D) and periodic serum calcium studies and maybe even bone density tests.

So drink your milk!

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