May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, but at Brevard Medical Equipment, we’re aware of it all year-round! Many of our customers live with osteoporosis, and because of that, we provide a number of items that make their day-to-day life easier.

But, our customers are not alone. Did you know that osteoporosis affects 20% of Americans over the age of 50? Of them, Caucasian women are the most susceptible to the disease.

In last week’s blog, we talked about some daily things you can add to your diet to help you grow healthy bones. Today, we want to talk about some daily exercises you can do that will help if you have thinning bones—although, we will say to ask your doctor before you start any new exercise regimen.

• Yoga—Studies suggest that regular yoga workouts are good for osteoporosis, especially in the places most vulnerable to fracture. Its movements don’t make impact on the bones, but still stress them enough to give them a good workout. However, some poses you should shy away from, especially those that require deep backbends.
• Walking—Do this 45 minutes a day, five days a week, and you could a dramatic reduction in your hip fractures.
• Dancing—Who doesn’t enjoy tapping their feet and moving to a beat? As long as you’re not stomping, leaping or doing something else that’s high-impact, dancing can be great for your bones.

Remember, while exercise is good for you, when you have brittle bones, some exercises should be avoided—especially those that carry a high risk of falls or that are high-impact. That rules out skiing and jumping jacks.
If you do have osteoporosis, remember, your mobility doesn’t have to be limited. At Brevard Medical Equipment, we carry a number of products in our online catalog that can make living with osteoporosis easier.

What do ice cream, tofu and sardines all have in common? They’re high in calcium and could be used to prevent osteoporosis, or aid those who already have it.

May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, and we thought we would take a moment to talk a little bit about how diet can help in the prevention and treatment of the disease.

Almost everyone knows that calcium is good for the bones, but most people think of milk and cheese when they think of high-calcium foods. In fact, there’s a number of items you could include in your diet that are good for your bones. Below are a few suggestions for your daily meals that are packed with calcium:

Breakfast:

• Yogurt mixed with almonds and oranges, with a cup of soy milk on the side
• Oatmeal mixed with dried figs and a cup of orange juice on the side
• Cheerios (they’re not just heart-healthy—they’re bone healthy as well!)

Lunch:

• Spinach salad with sesame seeds, almonds, slices of oranges and canned salmon
• Collard green and black-eyed pea soup
• A sandwich covered with a black-eyed pea spread instead of mayo

Dinner

• Penne pasta with spinach and white beans
• Sardine pizza—no, really! The sardines are high in calcium, and the cheese on the pizza is excellent for bone health
• Caramelized tofu with Brussel sprouts—the whole recipe can be found here.

At Brevard Medical Equipment, we’re all about helping those who are living with osteoporosis. We carry a number of products in our online catalog that can increase your mobility, as well as a resource center to explain a number of terms related to osteoporosis.

Prehypertension is a condition in which one’s blood pressure becomes slightly elevated. It is a precursor to full hypertension, and it is our body’s warning sign that we need to take action to lower our blood pressure. Allowing prehypertension to worsen can increase your risk for heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Brevard Medical wants you to be aware of the dangers of this condition and suggest some methods for preventing it.

Prehypertension doesn’t always cause clear symptoms. In fact, blood pressure readings are the only foolproof way to detect it. You should see your doctor at least once every two years to have your blood pressure checked, though it is suggested that you get a checkup more often if you have a family history of hypertension or heart disease.

As with many conditions, there are certain things you can do now to prevent your chance of developing hypertension. Here are some popular suggestions:

Limit alcohol – If you choose to drink alcohol, be sure to do so in moderation. One to two drinks a day is the recommended amount for healthy adults.

Maintain a healthy weight – Losing just 5 pounds can lower your blood pressure and help prevent prehypertension. Talk with your doctor about what your healthy weight should be and commit to small lifestyle changes to aid in weight loss.

Increase physical activity – Regular physical activity is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy weight. If you aren’t used to exercise, start slow, increasing to at least 30 minutes of activity a day. Walking is one of the best and easiest options!

Limit your salt intake – You don’t need to cut out salt completely, but if you reduce it a little bit at each meal, you won’t even notice the loss. Make a habit of checking labels and avoid foods high in sodium such as soups, frozen meals and bread.

Brevard Medical wants to help you prevent the issues that could lead to life-altering problems down the road. For more information about leading a healthy lifestyle, keep up with our blog!

This week marks National Volunteer Week! This week-long celebration was established in 1974 to honor the ordinary people who do extraordinary things with their time and service. Many of us volunteer with local organizations and most of us have benefited from the acts of a generous volunteer. Brevard Medical Equipment supports volunteering efforts of all kinds! Check out these five awesome benefits of volunteering.

1. Volunteering can help improve your physical well-being. The social interaction that occurs while volunteering can lower your heart rate and blood pressure. It can also increase the feel-good chemicals in your brain, called endorphins, and boost your immune system.
2. Volunteering is beneficial to both the giver and the receiver. Often times the person who offers their time feels like they receive more value than the person they helped!
3. Volunteering can fight off stress and illness. Socializing with new people and discovering new skills are great for the mind as well as the body. Social connections are priceless.
4. Volunteering boosts your self-esteem and self-worth. Choosing to help others without expecting a reward makes us feel good about ourselves, whether we are shown direct appreciation or not.
5. Volunteering can help you live better and longer. The sense of purpose and positive interactions you develop with people greatly contribute to the benefits.

If you think that you can’t volunteer because of age or physical limitations, think again! Many communities offer programs that are designed to give senior citizens the opportunities to volunteer.

April 12-18 is National Volunteer Week, and Brevard Medical Equipment wants to say a big “thank you” to all of the volunteers out there for your help and generosity. If you are a volunteer, we appreciate you! And, as always, if the team at Brevard Medical Equipment can be of any assistance, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 321-453-3370.