Osteoporosis is a disease caused by a disruption to the balance between bone regeneration and bone loss, meaning that more bone mass is broken down than created. It is a condition that is more common among women, in particular women in menopause. There is also a hereditary factor that makes some people more susceptible to osteoporosis. Men can also suffer from osteoporosis. The reason why women are more susceptible to osteoporosis than men is that the hormone oestrogen, which (among other things) ensures maintenance of bone mass, is formed to a lesser extent during menopause. Osteoporosis increases the risk of breaking or fracturing a bone in your arms, hands, feet, hips and vertebrae. Because the skeleton becomes so brittle, broken bones can easily occur during everyday situations and activities.
The risk of osteoporosis increases in the following circumstances:
- Overweight
- Smoking
- Large alcohol intake
- Too little physical activity or exercise
- Use of pharmaceuticals such as cortisone, heparin and hormone therapy drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer and prostate cancer
- Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, anorexia, hypersensitivity to gluten, thyroid disease and parathyroid disease
- Lack of vitamin D
For the target group
Breaking or fracturing a bone can entail major consequences for individuals with limb deficiencies. It is often associated with pain and can further complicate your daily activities. For this reason it is particularly important to take preventive measures.
Helpful tips
Preventive measures
Regular physical activity and exercise, in particular the type of exercise that provides the skeleton with a workout, helps to keep the skeleton strong. Apart from giving the skeleton a workout, it is also important to exercise muscles, balance and coordination. Examples of good forms of activity and exercise include going for walks, ideally on an undulating surface (e.g. in the woods), trampolining, gardening and cleaning. It is also important to get out and about every day to ensure that the body receives sufficient vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. You should also make sure that you have a varied diet including foods that contain calcium and vitamin D. Examples of such foods include dairy products, green vegetables and fatty fish. There are substances in tobacco that hasten the breakdown of bone mass, which is why smoking should be avoided.
Treatment and guidance
If you suspect that you may have osteoporosis, you can request a bone density test. Emphasise to your care provider the importance of keeping your body healthy and free from injury, and explain the potential consequences in your particular situation if you were to break an arm or leg.
There are medications available that slow down bone decalcification. Although there is currently no medicine that can cure osteoporosis, there are medications available that aim to prevent broken bones.
