Background

Osteoporosis means porous bones, which look a bit like a natural ocean sponge or holey Swiss cheese.
One in three women suffer from this condition, also known as brittle bone disease.

Your bone density is at its peak around 30 to 35. After 35 and particularly after menopause (natural or surgical),
your bones become less dense and more likely to fracture.

You want to achieve the best bone density and then keep it. That’s why it’s vital for girls and women of all ages
to eat a good diet and do weight (or load) bearing exercise – that’s anything where your feet are on the ground,
such walking, jogging, dancing, yoga, cross country skiing but not bicycling or swimming
(though these are very good for you too).

Diagnosis

Treating fragile bones as early as possible is vital. So fill in this quick questionnaire, devised by the International Osteoporosis Foundation. If you tick any questions, do discuss the situation with your doctor.
(One in 12 men, more in some countries, suffers osteoporosis too, so do urge them to do the same.)
Your doctor may refer you for bone density screening. This can be arranged by The Poundbury Clinic.
This will probably be an X-ray based scan called DEXA, or possibly an ultrasound scan.

Remember: if you have had a hysterectomy and/or your ovaries removed, you must talk to
your doctor about protecting your bones.

One-Minute Osteoporosis Risk Test:

For men and women:

• Has either of your parents broken a hip after a minor bump or fall? Y/N
• Have you broken a bone after a minor bump or fall?
• Have you taken corticosteroid drugs (cortisone, prednisone etc) for more than three months?
• Have you lost more than 3 cm (just over 1 in) in height?
• Do you regularly drink heavily? (over 14 units weekly for women, 21 for men)
• Do you smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day?
• Do you suffer frequently from diarrhoea?

For women:

• Did you have your last period before the age of 45?
• Have your periods stopped for 12 months or more (other than for pregnancy)?

For men:

• Have you ever suffered from impotence, lack of libido or other symptoms related to low testosterone levels?

Other investigations may include blood tests for calcium, vitamin D,
bone turnover and coeliac disease.

Treatment of Osteoporosis includes:

• If you do have fragile bones, there are effective drugs and you will be advised about lifestyle measures
including a calcium-rich diet and weight-bearing exercise. Research shows that isoflavones, the plant
oestrogens mainly found in soy, are thought to be helpful, especially when combined with ‘good’ bacteria,
usually found in natural live yogurt.

• Lifestyle issues
  Diet
  Exercise
  Avoid coffee and alcohol

• Drugs include
  Calcium & vitamin D
  Hormone replacement therapy
  Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator
  Tibolone
  Calciform
  Bisphosphonates

• Supplements
  Calcium
  Vitamin D
  Magnesium

For further information – National Osteoporosis Society www.nos.org.uk

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