Osteoporosis

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become thin and weak and break easily. Certain parts of the body are affected more than others. The bones most likely to break are the wrist, hip and small bones in the spine. Most people are unaware that they have osteoporosis until a minor bump or fall causes their first broken bone.

Who gets osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is much more common in women than in men because women have less strong bones than men and they also lose bone very rapidly during the 5 to 10 years after the menopause. One in three women over the age of 60 is affected.
Osteoporosis in men is usually caused by some other illness or treatment. Men are therefore usually referred to a hospital clinic. Osteoporosis in men is more common than was thought previously and affects between 1 in 8 and 1 in 12 men.
Young women who lose a lot of weight, or who exercise excessively are more likely to get osteoporosis.

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What tests will I need to confirm osteoporosis?

For most people, an X-ray to show the broken bone is all that is needed. Blood tests can help your doctor make sure you have no other health problem damaging your bones. Some patients may need a special DXA scan to see if their bones are thin, but this is only necessary if your doctor wants to change your treatment, or to see whether treatment is helping your bones.

What can you do to prevent osteoporosis?

It is better to prevent osteoporosis rather than try to treat it once it has damaged your bones. However, both treatment and prevention are possible. So, even if you have already had a broken bone, it is not too late.
Regular exercise and eating a high calcium diet are important throughout life (see box for recommended calcium intake). Calcium is contained in foods such as milk, cheese and yoghurt. The low-fat types contain slightly more calcium per portion than the high-fat types.
Smoking increases the risk of getting osteoporosis, as does heavy drinking. So, it makes sense to stop smoking and cut down on alcohol intake.
It is very important to prevent falls so take a good look round your home and sort out any problems.
HRT helps prevent the rapid loss of bone after the menopause, but is no longer recommended for prevention; calcium supplements are useful for the elderly who do not get enough calcium in their diet; and some people who are housebound or who live in nursing homes will benefit from vitamin D supplements. Other treatments that can halt bone loss are also available.
If you need further information about osteoporosis ask your doctor or practice nurse.

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Take action now

• Take regular weight-bearing exercise - 30 minutes three times a week.
• Eat a calcium-rich diet - 800mg per day for adults; 1000mg per day for children and postmenopausal women on HRT; 1500mg for postmenopausal women not on HRT
• Stop smoking.
• Keep alcohol intake below 21 units per week if female and 28 units per week if male (1 unit = '/2 pint beer or cider; 1 glass wine; 1 measure spirits).
• Prevent falls by sorting out loose floor coverings, poorly lit steps, trailing cables, uneven floors, or clothes that are too long.
• Take all medicines exactly as directed by your doctor and do not share them with anyone else.

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Further information

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