Tips to deal with Osteogenesis Imperfecta in Adulthood

Tips for Staying Healthy as an Adult With OI

1. Maintain a healthy weight.
2. Eat a balanced diet with appropriate levels of calcium and vitamin D.
3. Do not smoke.
4. If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.
5. Consult with a physical therapist to design a safe exercise program for maintaining and developing muscle strength and aerobic fitness. Consider a home exercise program or one that can be done at a local gym. Walking and swimming are beneficial activities.
6. Have regular medical checkups as recommended for any adult, including, for women, gynecological exams and mammograms.
7. Monitor kidney function to prevent development of kidney stones.
8. Test for bone density every 1 to 2 years.
9. Seek treatment for decreasing bone density, endocrine (hormone) problems, and osteoarthritis symptoms.
10. Test hearing every 2 to 3 years.
11. Test vision every 2 to 3 years.
12. Manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels through diet, exercise, and medication.
13. Have a baseline cardiac evaluation, possibly including an echocardiogram.
14. Test pulmonary function every 1 to 2 years.
15. Consider taking part in a sleep study if symptoms of sleep apnea occur.
16. Aggressively treat all upper respiratory infections including colds.
17. If a symptom is persistent or troubling, ask the doctor if it is being treated in the same manner as it would for a patient who does not have OI.