January 22, 2021 3 min read
Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that weakens bones, making it thinner, more brittle and more likely to break even with minimal trauma. Osteoporosis-related fractures commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. It is a silent disease that can affect both Men and Women and it's not just a disease of the elderly.
During early stages of Osteoporosis, there are no obvious signs and symptoms. This is why it's also known as a 'Silent Disease'. It is usually rare that people detect their Osteoporosis in its early stage.
In the later stages, one will experience back pain, loss of height over time, low trauma fracture will incur at the wrist, spine, hip or other major bones. Loss of height can be due to the development of a stooped posture, which may eventually lead to difficulty in eating or breathing. All these will also eventually cause loss of mobility and independence in a senior's life.
Bone mass and size grows steadily for both males and females. By about 50 years old, an accelerated loss begins for females with onset of menopause as compared to the gradual loss in males.
It is important for us to maximise bone growth and strength when we are younger. An estimated 10% increase of peak bone mass in children can reduce the risk of an osteoporotic fracture during adult life by up to 50%! As we get to middle age, we should be preventing premature bone loss and when we're older adults we should prevent falls and minimise bone loss.
Lack of calcium: Osteoporosis is caused by bone loss as a result of lack of adequate calcium intake. When blood and tissue calcium levels are too low, the body uses calcium from the bones instead, causing the bones to weaken and become more brittle.
Lack of exercise: Like our muscles, our bones need us to remain active to develop. Leading a sedentary lifestyle causes our bones to weaken and lead to osteoporosis.
Read our 7-Day Guide to Active Ageing Here >>
Osteoporosis suffers are more susceptible to fractures from falls hence it is important to eliminate risks where possible. Take steps to modify your home to make it a safer space that is free of falls!
Grab bars, non-slip flooring, good lighting and appropriate walking aids are all excellent ways to ensure stability at home and even outdoors.
Read our Ultimate Guide to Fall Prevention At Home or download our free E-book on Creating An Elder-Friendly Home for more information on how to fall-proof your home.
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