Merit Family,

May is National Osteoporosis Month, and I'm excited to share with you informational health resources as well as a fun social media challenge. I also want to show you just how important your work is to patients with osteoporosis.

Although recognized for the month of May in the United States, osteoporosis is a global issue. Recent statistics show that worldwide 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 years will experience osteoporotic fractures in their lifetime.

Given these statistics, I urge you to use this newsletter throughout the month to learn more about your bone health and participate in the daily activities outlined below to help stay healthy and strong.

WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to weaken, become fragile, and easily break. When a person has osteoporosis, a minor fall, bump, sneeze, or sudden movement can result in a fracture. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can lead to long-term pain and even be life threatening.

Woman at Doctor's Office

CAN OSTEOPOROSIS BE PREVENTED?

There are things you can do at any age to help prevent your bones from weakening:

Image by International Osteoporosis Foundation

HOW MUCH CALCIUM DO I NEED?

Calcium is a mineral you need to build strong bones and teeth. It also allows your blood to clot normally, enables your muscles and nerves to function properly, and your heart to beat normally. The amount of calcium each person needs differs and depends on multiple factors, such as gender and age.

Here's a list of recommended dietary allowances:

Image by Cleveland Clinic

Many may think dairy is the only food that's high in calcium. You may be surprised to see that a number of other foods can provide you with this necessary mineral—and offer fiber as well as other nutrients your body needs.

Use this guide to learn of other calcium-rich foods you can add to your meals and snacks:

Image by National Osteoporosis Foundation

Explore the full list of calcium-rich foods.

OSTEOPOROSIS MONTH SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGE

The National Osteoporosis Foundation has created a fun digital calendar: Get Bone Strong This May with a Tip Each Day. Simply click on the day, and it will give you an action, fact, or resource that will help you protect your bones and live a healthy, active life. Explore the full calendar.

Here's where the fun starts! Throughout May, try to participate in the calendar as much as possible. Get creative and take selfies of you and your loved ones, showing how you're making bone health a priority. Send your selfies to Alicia Armeli ([email protected]) and let her know which tip/day you're practicing.

For example, if you decide to show off making a bone-healthy breakfast for Mother's Day (May 9th) or share you and your family doing bone-healthy exercises (May 14)—we want to see it! Are you living with osteoporosis and have any words of encouragement for others (May 30)? We want to hear it!

Employee photos will be showcased on Merit's corporate social media throughout May as an encouragement to other employees to prioritize their bone health!

MERIT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Working at Merit means you're making a difference. Osteoporosis can cause painful fractures in the spine called vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). These spinal fractures are almost twice as common as other fractures caused by osteoporosis, such as fractures in the hips and wrists.

VCFs can have debilitating effects on quality of life. That's why Merit provides a wide range of tools for vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty) and vertebroplasty treatments, helping physicians give patients with painful VCFs their lives back.

To see just how important the work you do every day is, watch this heartwarming patient testimonial.

Have a Wonderful Month!

Dr. Priest

Browse more helpful osteoporosis month resources:

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