Health

November Is Osteoporosis Month

by Barbara McPherson | November 12, 2008 at 12:32 pm

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November has been designated Osteoporosis Month. This is a particularly apt month for it because we are moving into the winter months and slips and falls due to slippery surfaces are all too common. For those who have osteoporosis a fall can be catastrophic. Hips and backs are particularly vulnerable to fractures. Those who have osteoporosis may not heal fractures well.

It is especially important for women over the age of 50 to monitor their bone health in conjunction with their physicians.

Montreal, May 27, 2008 – Results of the first Quebec study on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, ROCQ (Recognizing Osteoporosis and its Consequences in Quebec) were presented yesterday at the European Symposium on Calcified Tissues in Barcelona. The results show that although 80% of fractures reported in women age 50 and over were directly related to osteoporosis, an astonishing 80% of these women had never been diagnosed or treated for this disease. These patients are at very high risk of a new fracture. ROCQ is a unique therapeutic management program aimed at correcting this situation.

While women are at most risk for osteoporosis because of their lesser bone mass, men may develop osteoporosis as well. There are therapies available now to lessen the impact of this disease.

Some practical advice:
Talk to your doctor about your fracture history: remember that fragility fractures increase the risk of further fractures; Height loss may be a sign of spinal fracture: if you are over 50 years old and have lost several centimeters in height (more than 6 cm with respect to your usual height, or 2 cm in the past 3 years), you should talk to your doctor - an X-ray may be needed to determine if you have a spinal fracture; Listen to your body! There are several key factors that could tell you more about your condition: Your fracture history Your bone mineral density (BMD): it draws a picture of deterioration in your bones Your age: fracture risk increases with age Your genetics/family history of osteoporotic fractures

Osteoporosis, the silent thief
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a low bone mass and deterioration in the bone tissue. This condition leads to greater bone fragility and increases the risk of fractures, mainly in the hip, spine and wrist. Osteoporosis is known as the silent thief because the bone loss occurs without symptoms. In Canada, 1.4 million people have this disease. In those age 50 and over, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men will have osteoporosis, i.e. close to 400,000 Quebec women and 125,000 Quebec men.