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Osteoporosis What is it?Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bones’ and is often referred to as the ‘fragile bone disease’. People are often unaware that they have fragile bones until the time of a first fracture. Broken wrists, hips and spinal bones are the most common fractures in people with osteoporosis and it is more widespread in older age although younger people can sometimes be affected. In order to reduce these statistics it’s important that we realise we need to be looking after our bones from the age of 30. In fact our bones stop growing in length between the ages of 16 and 18, but bone density continues to increase slowly until a person is in their mid 20s. At this point the balance between bone demolition and bone construction stays stable. After the age of 35, bone loss increases very gradually as part of the natural ageing process. This bone loss becomes more rapid in women for several years following the menopause and can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of broken bones, especially in later life. Can osteoporosis be prevented? Our genes decide the potential height and strength of our skeleton but the way we live our life can also play a part in the amount of bone we invest in our bone ‘bank’ during our youth and how much we save in later life. During childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, when the skeleton is growing, it is vitally important to maximise bone strength. By ‘banking’ plenty of bone in these years, it puts the skeleton in a better position to hold out against the natural bone loss that occurs later in life. You can do this by taking plenty of weight bearing exercise and eating a well balanced, calcium-rich diet. Who is at risk of osteoporosis and broken bones? The factors that can put people at risk of osteoporosis and fractures include: Genes - Our bone health is largely dependent on the genes we inherit from our parents. In fact, if one of your parents has broken a hip, you may be more susceptible to developing osteoporosis and fragile bones. Age - Bone loss increases in later life so by the age of 75 about half of the population will have osteoporosis. As we get older bones become more fragile and more likely to break. Gender - Women have smaller bones than men and they also experience the menopause which accelerates the process of bone turnover. The female hormone oestrogen has a protective effect on bones. At the menopause (normally around the age of 50) the ovaries almost stop producing this hormone reducing the protection it gives to bones. Race – People who are Black Afro Caribbean are at a lower risk because they have bigger and stronger bones. Low body weight – If you have low BMI (body mass index) below 19g/m2 you are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis. Previous fractures - If you have already broken bones easily, including in the spine, then you are much more likely to have fractures in the future. Some medical conditions increase your risk:
People who have had an organ transplant or who have experienced respiratory diseases may also be at increased risk, as well as people who have undergone gender reassignment especially if hormone therapy is discontinued. Some medicines increase your risk:
Other risk factors include: Smoking – current smokers are more likely to break bones Alcohol - intake of more than 3 units daily Falling – older people who are at risk of falling are more likely to have fractures especially of the hip after the age of 75 years. I think I might be at risk. What should I do? You cannot see or feel your bones getting thinner and many people are unaware of any problems until they break a bone or start to lose height. If you think you have risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures then you can discuss this further with your GP. You may need a special scan which measures bone density, called a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. It is a simple, painless procedure and is recommended for those considered to be at high risk of breaking a bone due to osteoporosis, who may need a drug treatment to strengthen their bones. Osteoporosis diagnosed from a bone density scan does not necessarily mean that at the time you are at high risk of breaking a bone. A drug treatment is therefore not always necessary. Other factors, such as your age, will need to be taken into account. Smoking, alcohol intake and eating disorders, can be tackled by making changes to your lifestyle and seeking help for other problems. For more information go to either the National Osteoporosis Society or loveyourbones.org.uk Or Email: info@nos.org.uk Tel: 01761 471771 / 0845 130 3076
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