Bone Health Basics: Tips for Preventing and Managing Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a major health and economic problem and is increasingly common with age in both men and women. Having strong bones reduces your risk of osteoporosis. Most people are not aware that we reach our highest bone strength by age 30. After that, overtime, we naturally lose bone strength as we age. For most of us, however, the process of bone loss can be slowed down. Prevention and early treatment are essential.

Bone Health Basics: Tips for Preventing and Managing Osteoporosis provides easy-to-understand information for people with osteoporosis and for people who want to know more about their bone health and prevent future fractures. You will learn:

- how your bones work

- how to prevent bone loss

- how to prevent a fracture from occurring

- how your bones are affected when you have osteoporosis

Discover how to self-manage your bone health and become familiar with recommended treatment options for men and women. Understand how osteoporosis relates to you so you can ask the right questions and get the information you need to make relevant and timely decisions about your own health.

Gwen Ellert, MEd, BScN

A nurse consultant and educator, Gwen authored and published the best-selling The Arthritis Exercise Book, accompanied by workshops and videos, aimed at helping people with arthritis live their lives to the maximum. Following the success of The Arthritis Exercise Book, she co-wrote two editions of The Osteoporosis Book with rheumatologist Dr. John Wade, which were endorsed by Osteoporosis Canada, and the third and fourth editions retitled The Osteoporosis Book: Bone Health with Dr. Wade and pharmacist Dr. Alan Low. It is currently being used in the American Bone Health Peer Educator Program. Her nursing and health promotion background, in conjunction with her personal experience managing her own rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, has made her a strong advocate for skeletal medical issues. Gwen co-founded a chapter of the Rheumatology Nurses Society and is in constant demand as a conference and workshop presenter.

John Wade, MD, FRCPC

John is a leading Canadian rheumatologist. He is the Medical Director for Artus Health Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia and is a Clinical Associate Professor in Rheumatology at the University of British Columbia. He completed his medical studies at the University of British Columbia and Harvard Medical School. His clinical practice is focused on optimizing quality of life for patients with joint and bone diseases. He believes that outstanding clinical assessment combined with proper medication continue to alter the lives of patients for the better. Co-author of the first and subsequent editions of The Osteoporosis Book, John is active in osteoporosis advances and is a respected leader in continuing medical education.