|
|
|
|
What
is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis
is a condition where the bones become fragile and brittle, and can
fracture more easily than normal bones. Even minor falls can cause
serious fractures. 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men over 60 will have
a fracture due to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis
and fractures are major causes of injury, long term disability and
even death in older Australians.
How common is osteoporosis?
The
incidence of osteoporosis is increasing, primarily as people live
longer and the population ages.
- It
is predicted that by 2010, 1 in 3 hospital beds will be occupied
by elderly women with fractures (Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology
Study)
|
- It has been calculated that by 2011, hip fractures in Australia will
have increased by 83% (National Research Institute of Gerontology and
Geriatric Medicine, Melbourne).
What causes osteoporosis? Osteoporosis
is different from most other diseases or common illnesses in that there
is no one single cause. The overall health of a person’s bones is
determined by:
•
Your genes
•
Nutrition (especially calcium and vitamin D)
• Hormonal activity
• Exercise
These factors
determine how well the bones form in early adulthood (peak bone mass).
After this, prevention of bone loss becomes the most important. Anything,
which leads to decreased formation of bone early in life, or loss of bone
structure later in life, may lead to osteoporosis and fragile bones, which
can then fracture.
Preventing osteoporosis Osteoporosis
is largely preventable for many people. Prevention of this disease is
very important because, while there are treatments for osteoporosis, there
is currently no cure. There are several steps to prevent osteoporosis.
No one step alone is enough to prevent osteoporosis but in combination
they will all help. These steps
include:
- A balanced
diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
- Weight-bearing
and strengtheneng exercises
- Undertake
a moderate, regular exercise program and stick with it
- Bone
density testing and medications when appropriate
- Stop
smoking
- Get proper
amounts of calcium generally recommended to be 1000 to 1500 mg/day for
postmenopausal women
- Limit
alcohol intake
- Women
should discuss oestrogen replacement with their physicians where appropriate
- Vitamin
D is needed for the body to absorb calcium. 400-800 IU per day is recommended.
Direct exposure to sunlight (during winter), fortified dairy products,
egg yolks, saltwater fish and cod liver oil are good sources.
Osteoporosis - Fact Sheets
These fact sheets are also available in five different languages - Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese, and are downloadable from the Osteoporosis Australia website http://www.osteoporosis.org.au/html/index.php
Are you at risk?
Risk factors
are similar in men and women:
- Advanced
age
- Family
history
- Small
or thin build
- Low levels
of oestrogen (women) or testosterone (men)
- Low calcium
and vitamin D intake and/or absorption
- Physical
inactivity or excessive exercise
- Taking
Corticosteroids, Thyroid Medications, Anticonvulsants or Anticoagulants
- Smoking
- Excessive
alcohol and caffeine
- Chronic
diseases of kidney, lung, stomach and intestines
- Early
menopause
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Know whether you are at risk of osteoporosis - Take action and
do the Osteoporosis 1 minute risk test
| 1.
Have either of your parents broken a hip after a minor bump or fall? |
Yes/No |
| 2.
Have you broken a bone after a minor bump or fall? |
Yes/No |
| 3.
For women: Did you undergo menopause before the age of 45? |
Yes/No |
4.
For women: Have your periods stopped for 12 months or more
(other than because of pregnancy)? |
Yes/No |
5.
For men: Have you ever suffered from impotence, lack of libido
or other symptoms related to low testosterone levels? |
Yes/No |
6.
Have you taken corticosteroid tablets (cortisone, prednisone, etc)
for more than 3 months? |
Yes/No |
| 7.
Have you lost more than 3cm (1 inch) in height? |
Yes/No |
| 8.
Do you regularly drink heavily (in excess of safe drinking limits)? |
Yes/No |
| 9.
Do you smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day? |
Yes/No |
10.
Do you suffer frequently from diarrhoea (caused by problems
such as coeliac disease or Crohn’s disease)? |
Yes/No |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you answered
yes to any of these questions, you may be at risk of getting
osteoporosis and it is recommended that you consult your doctor. Take this
checklist with you and your doctor will advise if further tests are necessary. 
|
