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October 26, 2009- At least 2 million Canadians
suffer from a disease without symptoms. It could be someone you know – it could even be you.
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become thin and porous.
It’s also not an overnight affliction: bone loss is often silent and painless and can occur without sign or
symptom for many years. It’s often a painful osteoporotic fracture that is the first noticeable sign of
osteoporosis. Fractures of the hip, spine and wrist are the most common, and the first two often end in
significant lifestyle restrictions. One out of four hip fractures can result in death as early as one year
following the fracture.
Moreover, when bones are severely weakened by osteoporosis, even simple
movements such as bending over to pick up a bag of groceries and in some cases, sneezing or coughing, can
cause them to break.
Contrary to some common stereotypes, osteoporosis, although more common
in older individuals, can occur at any age. “Until fairly recently, most people considered osteoporosis and
broken bones to be a normal part of aging: this is simply not true,” says Julie Foley, President & CEO,
Osteoporosis Canada.“Osteoporosis can have significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. Recognizing
osteoporosis risk factors and being proactive about them is an important step to a healthier, fracture-free
future.”
Women are especially at risk. At menopause, when estrogen falls
dramatically, bone loss happens more quickly. Other factors can cause bone loss as well. Smoking, drinking
excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol, taking certain medications (e.g. glucocorticoids) and medical
conditions like Crohn's or celiac disease can all increase risk.
Young women and young men attain their peak bone mass at the ages of 16
and 20, respectively. A diet rich in calcium and adequate vitamin D is essential, and though it’s never too
late to eat right for your bone health, it’s crucial to maintain a bone-healthy diet in our early years to
prepare ourselves for the bone deterioration that occurs later in life.
When a disease has no symptoms, you can’t turn your back on
it.
Osteoporosis Canada invites you to become informed, reduce your risks,
and learn when you should get a bone density test. Don’t let osteoporosis sneak up on you and change your
quality of life: take our risk quiz today.
About Osteoporosis Canada
Established in 1982, Osteoporosis Canada, a registered charity, is the
only national organization serving people who have, or are at risk of, osteoporosis. The organization works
to educate, empower and support individuals and communities in the risk-reduction and treatment of
osteoporosis by providing medically accurate information to patients, health professionals and the public. A
national voluntary Board of Directors governs the organization. A Scientific Advisory Council made up of
medical and scientific experts from across the country provides guidance in all medical matters. Almost 2
million Canadians suffer from osteoporosis. One in four women and at least one in eight men over the age of
50 has osteoporosis, however, the disease can strike at any age. There are approximately 27,000 hip fractures
per year in Canada; data on spinal fractures is limited, but it is estimated that 65 per cent of vertebral
fractures go undetected. The cost of treating osteoporosis and the fractures it causes is estimated to be
$1.9 billion each year in Canada alone. Long term, hospital and chronic care account for the majority of
these costs.
Click here for additional
Osteoporosis Month resources.
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