With World Osteoporosis day coming up on 20th October, the Irish Osteoporosis Society are asking everyone to check to see if they have risk factors for bone loss
What is Osteoporosis?
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. You will see larger holes develop in the bone image that has bone loss, which results in the bones breaking easily, however on the outside a person can look perfectly healthy.
Normal bone Image Bone image with bone loss
What is Osteopenia?
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.
NOTE Research shows that most broken bones (fractures) occur in the moderate to marked Osteopenia range, which is a T score of -1.5 to -2.49, which is why it should not be considered a touch of bone loss.
Did you know that Osteoporosis and or Osteopenia is preventable and treatable in most people?
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 but bone health if managed correctly can be improved.
Are most people with Osteoporosis diagnosed?
NO, approximately 89% of people will not be diagnosed.
Are you aware of how dangerous broken bones can be?
Broken bones, especially broken hips can lead to loss of independence and in 20% of Irish people aged 60+, premature death. People pass away from the secondary effects of the broken bone which are blood clots, pneumonia or an infection.
Are broken bones (Fractures) preventable?
Yes, the majority of 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 bones.
A person can look perfectly fine on the outside and have severe bone loss inside their bones
NOTE: A person can exercise daily and have a healthy diet, but still develop or have bone loss. Only 19% of people with bone loss are diagnosed, are you or a loved one in the 81% undiagnosed?
Are there Signs and Symptoms of Undiagnosed Osteoporosis?
Yes, if you or a loved one have one or more of the following signs/symptoms, you may have undiagnosed bone loss
- A broken bone/s (fracture) from a trip and fall or less, even if on ice or cement
- Upper, middle or low back pain, intermittent or constant back pain
- Postural changes – 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 – Example a pot belly developing
- You are losing height
The image below shows the irreversible changes (from left to right) that occur when a person develops bone loss and is not diagnosed or treated.
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 the menopause, when significant bone loss occurs.
How is bone loss (Osteoporosis /Osteopenia) screened for or diagnosed?
- A DXA scan is the only test the Irish Osteoporosis Society recommend to screen or diagnosis Osteoporosis
- A DXA scan takes approximately 15 minutes
- A DXA scan is painless
- A DXA scan is not claustrophobic
- A DXA scan costs approximately €120
Repeat DXA scanning is important to monitor your bone health
- If you are losing bone, you will not feel bone loss
- A DXA scan does NOT contain excessive radiation
- A DXA scan contains 10% radiation of a regular Chest X-Ray
- A person flying from Dublin to New York is exposed to more radiation than a DXA scan
Did you know there are approximately 200 causes of bone loss?
The Irish Osteoporosis Society (IOS), the National experts in Osteoporosis, believe that every woman and man need to make their bone health a major priority. Research shows that fractures (broken bones) are preventable in most people, which is why the IOS believe people should not neglect their bone health, as you need healthy bones to sit up and walk. The Charity believes that 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
The woman below had become wheelchair bound due to so many broken bones in her spine when her son phoned us. Sadly her son had been told that nothing could be done to help his mother.
To the Irish Osteoporosis Society Charity
I wanted to thank your organisation for the help and guidance I received from you regarding my mum’s Osteoporosis.
The improvement has been substantial and together with the practical steps we took to adapt her house, her quality of life has improved substantially to the point that she is mobile and active again. We recently took her to Bath, UK to celebrate her 90th birthday and she will go on a Mediterranean cruise with my sister next month!
My Mum and I are extremely grateful for your guidance that has truly given her a new lease of life.
Well done and keep up the great work.
Best Regards,
Vincent C
What is essential for bone health?
The daily recommended amounts of Vitamin D, calcium and protein.
Not taking excessive amounts of fibre
Safe and appropriate exercise
Making your home safe
Not taking advice from total strangers on the internet
Osteoporosis treatments that have had extensive clinically research to prove they reduce a person’s risk of breaking bones.
Nutrition and Bone health
It is very important that everyone ensure they are getting the recommended amounts of Vitamin D, calcium and first-class proteins, as well as a balanced intake of food.
What type of exercise is recommended for bone health?
A person with bone loss should be individually assessed by a chartered physiotherapist with a special interest in bone health, to see what exercises are safe and appropriate for them to do.
What weight bearing exercises are safe for you should be based on the following:
If you have already broken bones or are high risk to break bones, your age, the results from your DXA scan report, your medical history and your fitness level. It is much safer to slowly build up your bone strength, then take the risk of breaking bones.
Those who have bone loss need to be very careful what exercises they do as their muscles may be strong, but when a strong muscle pulls on a weak bone, it can break. As mentioned already, research shows that most broken bones occur in the Osteopenia range.
The following are some of the many exercises the Irish Osteoporosis Society do not recommend for those with bone loss:
Touching your toes while in the sitting position or standing position, excessive weights, kettle bells, yoga, jumping off boxes, stopping your feet when walking, trampolines or swiss balls.
Did you know that all senior citizens need to ensure that they make their homes safe to reduce their risk of falling in their home?
It is very important that throw rugs are removed from floors, that people wear a good pair of walking shoes in their home versus slippers as many give no support.
A handrail should be placed on steps into homes and handrails on both side of your stairs can make it much easier and safer for you.
Did you know that there are major advances in the area of incontinence?
75% of people can completely recover and the other 25% can significantly improve the issue. This is so important because most people when they begin to have leakage of urine (or bowel), they start to reduce the amount of fluids they drink because they do not want to have an accident.
Reducing the amount of fluids you drink can place you at risk of falls for several reasons.
- Slipping and falling from rushing to the bathroom or having an accident while trying to get there, which can cause fractures (Broken bones)
- If you ever feel thirsty studies show that you only need to be 1% dehydrated to experience a 5% decrease in cognitive function, which can place a person at risk of falling. A 2% decrease in brain hydration can result in short term memory loss.
- You can develop kidney issues which can affect your overall health but also can affect the ability for a person to take some of the Osteoporosis treatments.
How much fluids should you drink?
8 regular glasses of fluids. Your body is made up of water so it is essential for your overall health. By including fortified milk with Vitamin D, not only are you helping your bone health but also your overall health as Vitamin D is essential for your immune system. You should reduce caffeine intake to 2 a day.
What makes walking with a cane or rollator much more difficult?
One of the major issues with those who use canes or rollators is that they are adjusted to high. If either are too high, they can cause, neck, shoulder and back pain and make it more difficult for a person to walk.
How to check if your cane or rollator is too high – you will need someone to help you
A person needs to stand up as straight as they can, with their arms down by their sides, preferable with a chair behind them in case they need to sit down. It is important that the person looks straight ahead because if they look down to see what the person is doing their arm will lengthen. The handle of the cane or rollator should be level with the small bone on your wrist.
Summary
It is very important that everyone take their bone health seriously if they want to stay independent as they age.
Please pass on this information to family and friends and help us to reduce the amount of people affected by this silent disease.
If you are in a position to help support the Irish Osteoporosis society Charity, in order that we can increase awareness of this silent disease, we would really appreciate it.
For additional information, you can check our website at www.irishosteoporosis.ie
Or Email info@irishosteoporosis.ie
