Your mom’s doctor has talked to both of you about her risk of osteoporosis. Bone density screenings and a diet rich in calcium are likely to have occurred. Has your mom’s doctor talked to the two of you about kyphosis?
Kyphosis is a chronic medical condition that’s often linked to osteoporosis. It occurs when the spine curves giving the person the appearance of being a hunchback. When it’s diagnosed early, therapies like a back brace may be used to correct the issue. If it is ignored, it can become severe and impact breathing.
Age-Related Hyperkyphosis
One form of kyphosis is more common in elderly women. This age-related form, known as Dowager’s hump, is often the result of weakening muscles, fractures in the vertebrae, and/or osteoporosis. If it is present, there may be severe back pain and stiffness. Your mom may find herself shrinking when the doctor checks to see how tall she is. She also may find it hard to move around.
If it’s diagnosed, she needs to attend physical therapy sessions. She wants to strengthen the back and shoulder muscles. A brace may help. You should also talk to your mom’s doctor about her diet. If she does have osteoporosis, it’s likely that prescription medications will be recommended. She also needs to make sure her diet is rich in vitamin D and calcium.
Foods That Help With Bone Strength
Your mom’s diet needs to focus on foods that help with bone health. The good news is that many of these foods are foods your mom is likely to be eating.
Dried beans or legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and split peas are high in fiber and good for the bones. You probably know your mom needs to eat fish every week. Canned sardines are a great source of calcium. She could have the sardines spread on triangles of toast as a snack. Fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, and swordfish are other smart choices.
Make sure she eats plenty of green vegetables. Broccoli and kale are high in calcium. Other vegetables that are rich in calcium are bok choy, collard greens, mustard greens, napa cabbage, and turnip greens. As an example, just one cup of cooked napa cabbage has 3 percent of the calcium your mom needs each day. Broccoli has 7 percent, and kale has an impressive 10 percent.
If your mom is developing a hunchback and in pain, make sure she has support around the house. Elderly care services that help with housekeeping, meal preparation, and laundry are perfect for helping out. Let her focus her time and energy on exercises that will help her gain strength and mobility again by hiring an elderly care aide today.
