Osteoporosis, a condition that can lead to fractures from minor incidents, affects a substantial number of people over 50. Globally, one in three women and one in five men in this age group are at risk of an osteoporotic fracture.
Despite the potential for life-changing consequences, including loss of mobility, the condition is often under-recognised and undertreated. Fractures can lead to complications such as blood clots and pneumonia, and in some cases, can be fatal.
Assessing fracture risk involves more than just a bone density scan. Doctors consider other factors such as age, weight, smoking, alcohol use, steroid use, and other illnesses. While vitamin D and calcium are important for bone health, supplementation alone is not a treatment for osteoporosis in otherwise healthy individuals.
Exercise, including weight-bearing activities like walking and running, and muscle-strengthening exercises such as squats and lunges, can help build and maintain bone strength. For those who have already experienced a fragility fracture, comprehensive care, potentially through services like fracture liaison services, is crucial to prevent future fractures.