Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a loss of bone mass associated with older age. It is more likely to develop in women after the menopause. Affected bones have large holes and a thinner outer wall. They are fragile and more easily broken than normal bones. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks.
Eventually, as osteoporosis progresses, the bones in the spine collapse, the spine curves, and some people may develop a hunchback. This is scarcely noticeable in most cases, but can be disabling.
Prevention
Building strong bones, especially before the age of 30, can be the
best defence against developing osteoporosis, and a healthy
lifestyle is important for keeping bones strong.
Four steps to strong bones
1. Weight-bearing exercise
Weight training using barbells or dumbells and/or various equipment
is a great benefit to the bones. Other weight bearing exercises
such as walking and running are also good to build strong
bones.
2. Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
Calcium from a pint of milk or 2 pots of yogurt plus a 2oz (50g)
chunk of cheese a day. Vitamin D from oily fish, enriched cereals
or from just being out in the sunshine
3. Don't drink too much alcohol
Don't drink more than two glasses of wine a day if you are a
woman, 1 ½ pints of beer for a man.
4. Don't smoke!
Smoking damages bones
Outcome
The severity of osteoporosis worsens with time, but the progression
can be delayed and possibly reversed by good self care and by
treatment with HRT, calcium, vitamin C and vitamin D supplements,
calcitonin, bisphosphonates and SERMS.
Many fractures arising from osteoporosis heal with treatment, and a full recovery can be expected. However, some do not heal so well, and pain and difficulty using the part of the body involved occurs. This can lead to considerable disability, and elderly people in particular may become unable to look after themselves.
To contact the department: healthandsafety@cwu.org
