World Osteoporosis Day
Osteoporosis is a SILENT disease because there are no warning signs or symptoms that you are losing bone. It makes the insides of a person’s bones become fragile and therefore break easily.
Osteopenia is the early stage of Osteoporosis. It is essential that the causes of why you have lost bone are investigated and addressed, not assumed, to help prevent you losing more bone.
1 in 4 men and 1 in 2 women over 50 will break a bone from Osteoporosis and it can affect those much younger as well. Approximately 89% of people will not be diagnosed. Broken bones, especially broken hips can lead to loss of independence and sometimes, premature death. People pass away from the secondary effects of the broken bone which are blood clots, pneumonia or an infection. Fortunately, the majority of most broken bones are preventable.
What are the signs and symptoms of Bone Loss?
There are NO signs or symptoms (warning signs) prior to a person breaking a bone. A person can look perfectly fine on the outside and have severe bone loss inside their bones. A person can exercise daily and have a healthy diet but still develop or have bone loss.
Are there Signs and Symptoms of Undiagnosed Osteoporosis?
If you or a loved one has one or more of the following signs/symptoms, you may have undiagnosed bone loss.
A broken bone/s (fracture) from a fall or less
Upper, middle or low back pain, intermittent or constant back pain
Postural change – Your shoulders starting to become rounded
Postural change – Your head starting to protrude forward from your body
Postural change – A hump developing on your back
Your body shape changing – belly developing
You are losing height
Who are most at risk of developing Osteoporosis?
1 in 2 women aged 50+ will break a bone from Osteoporosis. Caucasian and Asian women over 65 years of age are the highest risk group, but all ethnic groups can develop bone loss.
Why are women affected by bone loss more than men?
There are many reasons why women are more at risk, one of the main reasons is that women tend to have more hormonal issues, as they have ovaries and go through menopause, when significant bone loss occurs.
How is bone loss (Osteoporosis /Osteopenia) screened for or diagnosed?
A DEXA scan is the standard and most accurate way to scan for bone loss and diagnose osteoporosis
A DEXA scan takes approximately 15 minutes
A DEXA scan is painless
A DEXA scan is not claustrophobic
Repeat DEXA scanning is important to monitor your bone health.
If you are losing bone, you will not feel bone loss
A DEXA scan does NOT contain excessive radiation
A DEXA scan contains 10% radiation of a regular Chest X-Ray
Did you know there are approximately 200 causes of bone loss?
Research shows that fractures (broken bones) are preventable in most people, which is why you should not neglect your bone health. Anyone with one or more risk factors for bone loss should consider having a DXA scan done, as bone loss is silent.
Can senior citizens actually improve their bone health? YES.
What is essential for bone health?
The daily recommended amounts of Vitamin D, calcium and protein
Getting the safe and appropriate amount of exercise
Making your home safe- no throw rugs, use handrails, efficient lighting
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