The article under consideration is written by Jane E. Brody and entitled “One broken bone? You may be at risk for another.” Brody (2021) draws readers’ attention to their bone health, with the focus on middle-aged people and the elderly. The author states that people who have fractures in their 50s or 60s have to pay more attention to their bones as they are at a high risk of having more breaks in the future. Brody (2021) emphasizes that menopausal women are at a higher risk of breaking a bone due to the changes that take place in their bodies at this age. In men, such changes start later, but men in their 60-70s should also be more cautious as to their bone health. The vulnerable groups mentioned above tend to develop osteoporosis and have low bone mineral density. Brody (2021) adds that after a break, patients should take a bone test to assess their bone mineral density. Based on the results, the healthcare professional will provide the most appropriate recommendations regarding the lifestyle and diet. Brody (2021) concludes that middle-aged people should pay attention to the food they eat, their lifestyles, as well as potential hazards they might have in their homes.
The article contains valuable information for middle-aged people that can be instrumental in improving their health status and quality of life. The author stresses that prevention is the key to health, which cannot be refuted. People should pay the necessary attention to their health and understand the changes that are taking place in their bodies at different periods of their lives. The author also emphasizes the need to quit smoking and reduce the consumption of alcohol (Brody, 2021). One of the most important recommendations made by the author is related to physical activity. It is stressed that older people should remain active to stay healthy. Finally, an important recommendation is to check the dwelling and make sure that no hazards are present. These tips can help the most vulnerable groups and their relatives to avoid serious problems with their health.
The article in question is a valuable source of knowledge for diverse groups of people. One of the strengths of the article is that it includes basic data regarding the health of bones at a certain age put in simple terms. The author uses simple language with a minimal number of complicated terms to help the reader understand the most critical aspects of the health condition in question. Bone health is an important topic for discussion with a wide audience as millions of people have fractures these days. The increasing number of older people makes such discussions specifically important. Modern people have become more concerned about their health and the health of their close ones compared to past decades. Prevention has also become a priority for many, which is critical for public health and the wellbeing of every person.
The article under consideration contributes to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and responsible behavior aimed at preserving an appropriate health status. The recommendations included in the auricle are helpful and can improve people’s lives. It is important to remind people of the need to be physically active, especially when it comes to older people. This age group can be characterized by growing inactivity as it being active is associated with making an extra effort. By drawing readers’ attention to this aspect, the author encourages and motivates younger people to help their older close ones to be healthy. Younger relatives can help their loved ones to be involved in some types of physical activity (yoga, swimming, dancing, gardening, and so on).
When reading the article, I inevitably thought about my older relatives who had fractures. In one case, an older lady had a hip fracture and underwent complicated surgery and rehabilitation. She is now fine and well and is more careful as to her bone health. Another case is tragic as another older woman in my family died several months after a compound fracture of her forearm. She was in her late 80s and died of multiple complications. These two cases show that bone fracture can cause various inconveniences but can also lead to death. Although I had always been quite conscious about health and responsible behavior, after the death of the relative, I became even more careful.
At that, the article brought back some memories from my school years as one of my classmates must have had quite low bone mineral density. I did not know anything about osteoporosis or any other bone problems, but I believed there was something wrong with the girl. She had fractures or some kind of trauma several times per year, with quite striking cases. One of the most memorable cases was the arm fracture she received when she got up from her sofa. When reading the article by Brody (2021), I was thinking about the need to add some information to the article and write many more on different age groups. Although the focus of the article was on the elderly, it is still critical to stress that any person at any age may be affected. I also think such articles should contain more information on the need to live a healthy lifestyle during adulthood. Many people are still reluctant to start paying more attention to their health when they are young and strong.
In conclusion, it is necessary to note that the article under analysis is instrumental in making people more responsible and more mindful of their health. By preventing fractures, older people can ensure their wellbeing as they will avoid complications that can come at a very high cost. Older people and their younger relatives should start paying more attention to their bone health. Clearly, other aspects of physical and mental health should receive an equal amount of consideration.
Bones are the substance creating the “framework on which the body is constructed” and also serve as a depository of calcium, contributing to the balance of calcium in the blood (Chabner, 2020, p. 544).
Fractures can be closed (simple) or open (compound) and can occur in any part of the skeleton (Chabner, 2020). In the former case, the bone is broken with no open wound, while in the latter case, the bone is broken, and there is an open wound in the skin with a protruding bone.
Postmenopausal females are women who have undergone menopause that usually occurs after the age of forty.
Osteoporosis is a disorder that is marked by a decreasing level of bone density.
Bone mineral density is the level of calcium in bone tissue (Chabner, 2020).
The noninvasive test implies the collection of data about the health status of the patient without breaking the skin (for example, x-rays, MRI, and Holter monitoring, among others).
References
Brody, J. E. (2021). One broken bone? You may be at risk for another. The New York Times. Web.
Chabner, D. E. (2020). The language of medicine (12th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.