Osteoporosis is a devastating disease includes a decrease in bone density.  This “silent thief” leads to an increased risk of fragility fractures, or the risk of breaking bones with such minor things as bending over or sneezing.  The most common area for fractures is the wrist, vertebrae or hip.  1.4 Canadians suffer from osteoporosis including 1in 4 women over the age of 50.  However, this is not only a disease of older women.  Men and women of any age are susceptible. 

Most people with osteoporosis do not have any symptoms of the disease.  The broken bones that result cause pain both from the initial break and ongoing. Breaks can lead to disability, loss of independence and death.  The focus must be on prevention of the disease itself as well as prevention of fragility fractures for those who are diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Bone is a living tissue which is constantly ‘remodeling’.  In other words, bone is continuously breaking down and rebuilding.  To do this, your body requires the appropriate building materials to ensure that new bone formation is at maximum strength and density.  Calcium is a key building block for bone formation.  So is vitamin D.  To find out if you are receiving enough calcium in your diet, link onto Osteoporosis Canada Calcium Calculator http://www.osteoporosis.ca/english/About%20Osteoporosis/Calcium%20Calculator/default.asp?s=1

While your diet is important in the prevention of osteoporosis and fragility fractures, so is your lifestyle.  Nicotine, caffeine and carbonated beverages decrease your body’s ability to absorb enough calcium for optimum bone health.  Weight bearing exercise, such as resistance training and any activity that includes jumping, walking or running, help to increase bone density. 

All people should be assessed for their risk of developing osteoporosis especially women over the age of 50 and both men and women over the age of 65.  Your risk is higher if you are a smoker, have a low calcium intake and have a mother or sister who suffers from osteoporosis.  Ask your health care provider about your risk and whether your bones should be tested. 

Screening for osteoporosis is through a simple, painless test.  There are effective treatment options for people who are diagnosed with osteopenia (low bone density) or osteoporosis.  To learn more about this devastating disease along with prevention and treatment options go to Osteoporosis Canada website at http://www.osteoporosis.ca/english/home/default.asp?s=1

This article was originally published in the Health Matters section of mysudbuy.ca. It is republished here, with their consent. Click the mysudbury logo to the left to visit the Health Matters Page.

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