Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone becomes extremely fragile. Bone is a complex living tissue that can be weakened by poor diet and lack of exercise.
As we age, bones begin to break down faster than new bone can be formed. Osteoporosis removes minerals from bones until they become so weak and brittle that they fracture very easily. Actions such as bending to pick up a newspaper, lifting a vacuum or even coughing can cause a fracture. Some fractures, such as hip fractures, may require hospitalisation or major surgery and may result in disability or even death.
| NORMAL BONE |
ABNORMAL BONE |
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These pictures show the difference between healthy bone and bone with low density and mass. The dark areas in the picture on the right show where the bone has been weakened by osteoporosis.
Facts about osteoporosis in the United Kingdom
• In the UK, one in two women and one in five men
over the age of 50 will break a bone mainly because
of poor bone health.
• Almost three million people in the UK are estimated
to have osteoporosis
• There are about 230,000 osteoporotic fractures
every year
• Over 60,000 hip, 50,000 wrist and 120,000 vertebral
fractures occur each year in the UK
• 1,150 people are dying every month in the UK as a
result of hip fractures.
• The lifetime risk of fracture in women at age 50 years
is greater than the risk of breast cancer or
cardiovascular disease
Warning Signs
Osteoporosis is painless in its early stages and often there are no symptoms or signs until late in the disease progression. However, some people experience these signs of osteoporosis:
• Bone fractures, especially of the hip, spine or wrist
• Change in posture
• Sudden back pain
• Loss of height
Risk factors
The following factors are indicative of your risk of osteoporosis:
• Being a postmenopausal woman
• Race (Caucasians, African-Caribbean and South
Asian are at an increased risk)
• Thin frame
• Diet low in calcium
• Smoking
• Physical inactivity
• Heavy alcohol consumption
Find out your risk of osteoporosis.
Diagnosis and screening
Osteoporosis can be caught early with an osteoporosis risk analysis. Early detection allows physicians to take action, if necessary, with appropriate treatment.
Life Line Screening offers bone-mineral density screening of your heel bone - an effective and accurate way to screen for osteoporosis risk.
Interested in learning more about osteoporosis? Read our FAQs.
