Today is World Osteoporosis Day (20 October), an opportunity to raise awareness for the prevention and treatment of Osteoporosis.
Even after sustaining a fragility fracture, around 80% of patients around the world are still not diagnosed and treated for Osteoporosis.
At Monash Health, a team of endocrinologists and nurses specialized in Osteoporosis offer comprehensive assessment, evidence-based treatment and fracture prevention education to our patients who are at risk or suffer with poor bone health We have also implemented the Fracture Liaise Service with our Orthopedic team, which provides healthy bone education to patients with fragility fractures and follow up their care to prevent further fractures.
We advocate that Osteoporosis is diagnosed and treated as early as possible, because early detection can slow the rate of bone loss.
If you and your patients are at risk, talk to a doctor about how to manage the risk of Osteoporosis. If your doctor requires specialist advice, they can make a referral to meet our Osteoporosis experts in clinic
Here are five steps to healthy bones and reduced fracture risk
- Eat well. Keep a bone healthy diet with adequate intake of Calcium (1000 mg/day) from food sources and enough Vitamin D from sunlight (600 IU per day) to help you absorb the calcium
- Be active with regular exercise for 30 to 40 minutes three to four times each week. One study showed a benefit of brisk walking more than 4 hours a week may reduce hip fractures by 41%. Other types of exercises which can preserve bone health are weight bearing and muscle strengthening exercise to improve gait and balance, which reduces the risk of falling by 25 to 50%.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Avoid being underweight (BMI under 19) or overweight (BMI > 35), both of which can impact bones.
- Avoid bone damaging habits including a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
- Take the Osteoporosis Risk Check using online self-assessment tool ‘Know Your Bones’
Approved by Anjali Dhulia