Any parent will tell you that keeping up with their kids,
is high on their priority list.
But that can be tough if they're worried
about their own health.
So lets find out what this woman did to manage osteoporosis.
So she can continue having adventures with her daughters.
Christine Lapp likes to be on the move.
- I like to be doing things, I like to be out in my yard.
I like to be busy, I like going places and doing things.
- [Jane] But a routine bone scan revealed a health concern,
that threatened to side line her.
- It was just part of a physical, with my doctor.
It came back as osteopenia.
- Osteopenia is the start.
You're not quite osteoporotic yet,
it can be revealed on a Dexa Scan,
which is sort of the precursor to osteoporosis.
With osteopenia you don't exactly need medication,
but you need to be aware.
- I didn't do anything, with that.
I didn't make any lifestyle changes what-so-ever
with that diagnosis.
And then five years later, when I had a bone scan again,
that's when I got the diagnosis, osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis is a disease of low bone density.
It compromises bone strength, and makes bones fragile.
And fragile bones are at a increased risk for fracture.
There are certain risk factors that increase one's risk
for osteoporosis.
This includes medications, certain diseases, life style,
and family history.
Unfortunately osteoporosis is a silent disease.
And sometimes the first symptom may be a broken bone.
- [Jane] Hearing that she had osteoporosis led Christine
to take action.
(light music)
- I did worry about what my life would be like,
20 years from now.
I wanted to be able to be independent, up until the end.
- [Jane] The first step was starting her on medication.
- There are medications that can stop the progression
of the disease,
and there are also medications that can help
build the bone back up.
- [Jane] Next Christine's medical team had her increase
her calcium intake.
- I'd have a yogurt every single day, yeah.
And I still do have yogurt most days.
For me it was mostly dairy.
- Calcium is one thing that we really need,
for good healthy bones.
And certainly it is best to obtain it
through a healthy diet.
- [Jane] The final piece of the puzzle, was exercise.
- And making sure that all the muscles and things,
around the bone, were really strong.
- Doing weight bearing exercises,
you are activating cells that build bone.
Which is helping to maintain your bone density.
- [Jane] All these changes added up to good news,
when Christine had her next bone scan.
(light music)
- I am no longer in any of the measurable areas in osteo.
And osteopenia.
My numbers improved quiet a bit.
So I feel I am really great shape for my age,
and my activity level.
- She's living her life fully and really I don't think
she's feeling fearful of having any fractures.
She has no activity restrictions at all
and she should go and enjoy her life.
- [Jane] With her bone health improved,
Christine is now focusing on enyoying time
with her daughters.
(upbeat music)
- I like to be able to go and see them
and keep up with them.
That's my goal is just to stay active, and to stay busy,
and fulfilled.
I like not having limitations.
- You can maintain stable bone density.
It's something that we can do something about.
You don't have to have a fear
of slipping and breaking a hip.
- Being proactive is very important,
when it comes to osteoporosis.
It can be managed.
I just know that what I am doing, is all I can be doing.
And I just go about my day like everybody else.