Why is osteoporosis important?

Osteoporosis is important because people with osteoporosis are more likely to suffer with fractures such as those of the spine, hip and wrist. Often these fractures are sustained following only a very minor accident such as a simple fall. Following such a fracture people often require a prolonged period as an in- patient in hospital, physiotherapy and surgery.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation provides a number of startling statistics. It suggests that as many as 75 million people in Europe, the USA and Japan suffer with osteoporosis and that 1/3 women and 1/5 men over the age of 50 will experience a fracture caused by osteoporosis. Moreover, according to the Foundation, in women over the age of 45 years more days are spent in hospital with osteoporosis than with other diseases including diabetes and heart attacks.

Am I at risk of developing osteoporosis?

There are a number of risk factors for osteoporosis in addition to increasing age. Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. After the menopause the body stops producing estrogen, a hormone that amongst other things helps maintain bone density. Similarly, women who have had their ovaries removed, for example, following surgery are more at risk of osteoporosis.

A lack of exercise increases the chances of a person developing osteoporosis. In adults exercise with weights is especially good as it helps slow the rate of bone thinning. Exercising sensibly as a child or as a young adult increases your initial bone density whilst exercising sensibly later in life slows the rate of bone thinning.

Diet plays a role in osteoporosis. A diet containing the right amount of calcium is important. Calcium is found in dairy products such as yoghurt. However, calcium alone is not sufficient as Vitamin D is needed to help the body absorb and utilise calcium. Vitamin D is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight and can also be obtained by eating certain foodstuffs such as fish. That being said, if you are vegetarian you can still get vitamin D by eating food fortified with vitamin D or taking vitamin supplements. If this is something that concerns you it is worth discussing dietary options with your doctor and also visiting websites such as that of the Vegetarian Society.

Smoking and consuming excessive alcohol are both risk factors for osteoporosis. The Department of Health provides some useful advice regarding alcohol on its website.

Certain medications can predispose people to osteoporosis such as steroids and some anti- epilepsy drugs. Likewise, people suffering with particular diseases including Crohn’s disease and cancers such as multiple myeloma are though to be at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.

Genetics too has a role to play in osteoporosis and those with a family history of osteoporosis are at increased risk of developing the condition.

How can I reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis?

Clearly, there are factors that we cannot control such as our genes, age and gender. That being said there are plenty of things that we can do to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. These include eating healthily, exercising sensibly, not smoking and not drinking to excess.

What should I do if I think that I may have osteoporosis?

The problem with osteoporosis is that it is not always diagnosed early because it has no obvious symptoms. Patients are often only diagnosed after they have sustained one or even more fractures. Occasionally, sufferers of osteoporosis may become shorter due to minor, often painless fractures within the spinal column.

In order to confirm the diagnosis of osteoporosis a bone density scan needs to be performed.

What should I do if I am diagnosed with osteoporosis?

If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis there are a number of ways in which your condition can be treated. These include non- medical measures such as modifying your diet and exercising. However, you will also need to talk to your doctor about the numerous medications that are available to treat osteoporosis. These include vitamin D and calcium although many other drugs are now available including bisphosphonates and hormone replacement therapy. The important thing to recognise is that if you experience side- effects when taking one drug make your doctor aware so that he/ she can discuss alternative medications with you.

And finally....

If you have any concerns regarding osteoporosis or wish to learn more about the disease speak to your doctor and contact or visit the websites of organizations such as the International Osteoporosis Foundation.