News

World Osteoporosis Day - Beat the Break

It's Time to Get Wise & Take Control - This is Your Future

20% of people over the age of 60 who fracture a hip, will pass away due to complications within 6-12 months. 50% are unable to wash, bath or walk across a room unaided. Only 30% will regain their independence.

“These are not comfortable statistics, but we need to face them and acknowledge that they are real because we can help to prevent this from happening to ourselves in the future,” says Michele O’Brien, National Health Promotion Officer with the Irish Osteoporosis Society. Michele is speaking on World Osteoporosis Day (20th October 2009) at the Women In Agriculture Conference in Athlone, supported by the National Dairy Council and Irish Country Living / Irish Farmers' Journal.

“Osteoporosis can affect people of all age groups, male or female and including children – anybody can develop it. Known as ‘brittle bone disease’ – Osteoporosis can be a ‘silent’ disease. For many people, the first sign is, unfortunately, an actual bone fracture of the wrist, spine or hip,” explains Michele O’Brien. “Others may experience severe episodes of upper, middle or low back pain or loss of height due to vertebral fractures.”

World Osteoporosis Day was initiated by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) to try to raise awareness about a disease which is preventable, but which suffers from poor general awareness. The IOF estimates that the cost of osteoporotic fractures in Europe to be in the region of €25 billion and its web site includes many public endorsements from personalities ranging from actresses to footballers, calling for people to face up to the risks of Osteoporosis and to take better care of themselves:

· “Patsy (Joanna Lumley’s TV character) is, I’m afraid, very typical of women of a certain age – in a state of denial about her body…take care to find out about osteoporosis and what you can and should do…be wise…” – Joanna Lumley, Supporter of the UK Osteoporosis Society

· “Staying slim is part of the job, so like most celebrities I have been on a diet for most of my adult life. As a result, my body has been deprived of essential vitamins and nutrients, which no doubt contributed to my osteoporosis….” - Britt Ekland, Swedish Actress

· “When I found out that I had Osteoporosis, I was pretty shocked. I thought it was, you know, for old ladies basically..but I got diagnosed when I was 37. Osteoporosis has affected my life in many ways…. “ – Kirk Pengrilly, INXS band

· “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a candidate for Osteoporosis…I should have taken better care of my bones. You know what ? So should you….Beat the break and take responsibility for your bones….” – Joan Rivers, Comedienne

· “People are needlessly experiencing pain, fractures and even death due to Osteoporosis, a disease that could be treated if people were made more aware of the risk factors and symptoms…….take control…” - Barbara Windsor, actress & patron of the UK’s Osteoporosis Society

· “Osteoporosis is like a football team in which the defenders become weakened and opponents can score easily…..move it or lose it….” – Gregory Coupet, French Footballer

Speaking at the Women in Agriculture Conference, Michele O’Brien says that Osteoporosis is a disease which is preventable and treatable in the majority of people. “We should all really think about osteoporosis prevention from childhood. But it is never too late to treat a person – even where the early stages of osteoporosis have taken hold, the prevention/ reduction of further bone loss is essential.”

Dietary Trends & Evidence of Calcium Deficiencies

“Consuming dairy as part of a regular, balanced diet, is an essential part of preventing and treating osteoporosis,” says Michele O’Brien. “Dairy in particular plays an important role in leading a “bone healthy” lifestyle because it provides us with calcium in a format that our bodies can easily absorb. Fortified dairy products which have vitamin D, are also beneficial because Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium.”

Sadly we are seeing trends in Ireland which are not good. 42% of Irish teenage girls and 23% of Irish teenage boys do not have enough calcium as part of their regular diets. In adulthood, research shows that 23% of Irish women do not have enough calcium as part their regular diets, compared with 11% of Irish men. “These dietary trends could be placing those people at increased risk of serious long term health problems in the future, such as osteoporosis,” says Michele O’Brien.

Other contributory factors can include genetic variables, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive intake of alcohol, stress, the abnormal sex hormone levels in both males and females. “Many of these factors are modifiable – which means we have the capacity to control them,” says Michele O’Brien.

Strengthening Bones

Bones need regular “weight bearing” exercises to maintain and build strength - exercises such as dancing, walking or climbing the stairs - although these should be varied where possible in order to challenge and develop bone and muscles.

Where a person is not sure what exercises are appropriate, or if they have a physical limitation, a chartered physiotherapist can assess and advise an individual about what exercises or classes are safe and appropriate, especially if they have osteoporosis,” says Michele O’Brien. “We all need to think of exercise more as an opportunity for enjoyment, for revitalization and as a regular part of our health and wellbeing.”

“Unfortunately as our lives get busier and then as we start to get older, there can be a tendency to physically do less – which in turn can put us at higher risk,” says Michele O’Brien. She explains that lower levels of activity can in fact put more people at higher risk of developing weaker bones and muscles, and therefore at higher risk also of falling and fracturing a bone.

Put Pride Aside

“Falls where bones are broken are the main reason why people lose independence. As we get older we need to put pride aside and deal with the fact that our vision may not be as good as it was, wear practical shoes in the home and actively make our homes safer with clutter free floors, clear stairways, and less ‘throw rugs’.

Wet grass, wet leaves at this time of year, and wet surfaces are all high risk points so think about skid mats in front of sinks or in bathrooms, use rails and perhaps its time to stop using a chair to reach a high shelf.

Find Out More

“Many people believe that osteoporosis is a disease which affects people who are older, and particularly ladies – but this is simply not correct,” according to Michele O’Brien.

“This is your life and your future. We’re inviting people to contact us and to find out more about Osteoporosis.”

A booklet about Osteoporosis is available free of charge. For information about where to download the guide, visit www.3aday.ie or click here; or for a printed copy, call the Irish Osteoporosis Society at 1890 252 751 or the NDC on 01-6169726.

For further information contact:

NDC: Antonina Ni Dhuinn, Progress Communications - 01-2766117 - nina@progresspr.ie

Irish Osteoporosis Society: Niall McLoughlin, IOS Chief Executive - 1890 252 751