Osteoporosis is a bone disease that results in deformed, brittle bones that break easily. Because it does not usually have any symptoms, a person may not be aware that they have osteoporosis until they experience a fracture – by which time the disease is in an advanced stage.

A dangerous misconception is that osteoporosis is not a serious condition. Aside from the pain of a fracture, longer healing times for older people increase the possibility of developing secondary infections; the trauma of a fracture can have long-term physical and psychological repercussions, resulting in some patients losing their independence and requiring full-time care; and there is also a risk of fatality due to complications.

Brittle bones are not just a normal part of ageing but a disease that can be prevented and treated.

Who is at risk of osteoporosis?
While anyone can develop the problem, some factors have an influence on osteoporosis.

Gender – Women, particularly postmenopausal women, are more likely to develop osteoporosis due to the drop in oestrogen that occurs after menopause. This also applies to women who have had a hysterectomy.

Similarly, if you have experienced an abnormal absence of periods, entered early menopause or suffered from an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa, you will need to take especially good care of your bones.

Genetics – Check your family’s medical background. Osteoporosis may not always be diagnosed, so check for a history of fractures – especially in relatives over 50 and typically in the hip, wrist or vertebrae – which could be an indication of brittle bones running in your family.

Hormones – Just as a drop in oestrogen levels adversely affect women, low testosterone levels in men can increase the chance of osteoporosis.

Prevent and treat osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is diagnosed by using a bone density scan, called a Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. This test can detect osteoporosis before you fracture a bone, giving you the opportunity to make the necessary lifestyle changes to prevent the disease reaching an advanced stage. These include:

Weight-bearing exercises – This does not mean you need to start pumping iron like a pro; gentle activities, such as walking or jogging, are perfect for stimulating healthy bone renewal. Why not go along to a salsa class or play tennis? Dancing and sport are great for your bones.

Cutting out soft drinks – Soft drinks are highly acidic and irritate your stomach. The body uses calcium to neutralise this acidity, depleting your reserves.

Reducing stress – Stress stimulates the production of the hormone cortisol, which is beneficial to our bodies in small doses. However, an excess of cortisol has been linked to decreased bone density.

Engaging in a calming activity such as Tai Chi will help you to relax, as well as having the added benefit of increasing stabilisation, reducing the possibility of a fall.

Stopping smoking -– Smoking has been linked to bone loss and a greater risk of fracture in old age. Smokers’ bones also take longer to heal after fractures.

Limiting alcohol – Excessive alcohol consumption affects the production of hormones and the absorption of calcium in the body, as well as increasing the risk of falls and accidents. By limiting alcohol consumption to two units a day, you can eliminate this risk.

Eating correctly – Bone is living tissue and needs to be maintained and nourished. In order for bone to rebuild itself effectively, the right minerals and vitamins need to work together. Calcium is obviously important but, on its own, it is not enough for healthy bones; don’t forget to include magnesium and vitamins D, K, B12 and B6 in your diet.

Cutting down on caffeine and salt – Caffeine impedes calcium absorption and too much sodium in the diet reduces the body’s ability to retain calcium, so reduce your intake.

Medications also exist to treat osteoporosis, which should always be discussed with your doctor.