VERSION
Boost your
REPRO OP SUBS
BONES
Help reduce your risk of osteoporosis in the future by taking steps now to look after your bone health
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BY CAROLINE ROBERTS
ART PRODUCTION CLIENT
T’S ESTIMATED THAT 3.5 MILLION people in the UK have osteoporosis, or fragile bones, and half of women and a fifth of men over 50 will suffer a fracture because of it. So how can you help your bones stay strong? Bone has a honeycomb-like structure and the cells are constantly renewed to maintain its density, but this process slows down with age so bones gradually become more porous. This can lead to osteoporosis, particularly in the hips, wrists and spine. Many people don’t know they’re affected until they break a bone after a minor knock or fall. Osteoporosis can also cause small fractures in the spine. These don’t damage the spinal cord and cause paralysis, but they can compress the vertebrae causing a stooped posture.
Are you at risk?
Bone density peaks around the age of 30 then slowly declines so it’s normal to lose bone mass as we age. However, some factors make it more likely this will progress to osteoporosis: Post-menopausal women are more often affected as falling oestrogen levels accelerate bone loss. Your risk increases if you go through the menopause, or have your ovaries removed, before the age of 45. If a parent had osteoporosis or suffered a hip fracture, you may be more at risk.
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28 Be Healthy Spring 2024
BLACK YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN
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Lifestyle factors such as a poor diet, smoking, drinking too much alcohol and lack of exercise can undermine bone health. Being underweight or having a history of eating disorders can mean you have smaller, more fragile bones. Some medications can increase the risk. These include steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, and some breast or prostate cancer medications.
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If you have any risk factors, particularly if you’re over 50, talk to your GP about a DEXA scan to measure bone density. A DEXA scan may show you have osteopenia – a lower bone density than average, which is common in older people. However, it can progress to osteoporosis so it’s important to take action. HOW BENENDEN HEALTH CAN HELP
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Get moving with our online exercise programmes, videos and instructorled sessions, available via the Benenden Health App. Turn to page 13 for some ideas on ways to build muscle mass.
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FEED YOUR BONES Our nutritional experts at Benenden Hospital can help you adjust your diet to support your bones. Call 01580 232499 to find out about self-pay consultations.