All posts in Health

UNDERSTANDING OSTEOPOROSIS

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones”.  It’s a disease that causes a person’s bones to become weak and brittle.  A bone density decreases, the risks of fractures and serious injury from fractures goes up.

A Silent Disease

The early signs of osteoporosis aren’t obvious.  Fortunately, your doctor or healthcare provider can use a simple, painless bone density test to see how strong your bones are.  About 20% of seniors who fracture a hip will die in the year following the fracture.

A Special Concern For Women

Millions of North Americans suffer from osteoporosis and 80% are women.  A woman’s risk of hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of breast cancer, cancer of the uterus and ovarian cancer.

A Vicious Cycle

Osteoporosis sets up a ‘vicious cycle’.  A bone breaks, which leads to pain, immobility, fear of falling and reduced activity.  Inactivity, in turn, causes the person’s bones to become even weaker and more vulnerable.

What are the Risk Factors?

Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but some people are at higher risk.  The more of these that apply to you, the greater the concern:

• Female (though men can also be at risk)
• Slender build
• Past menopause
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Low-calcium diet
• Lack of exercise
• Cigarette smoking
• More than moderate use of alcohol
• Caucasian or Asian

For more information on this, check out this website:  www.osteoporosis.ca

STAYING ON YOUR FEET

Taking Steps to Prevent Falls

While anyone can have a fall, if you are 65 years of age or older, you are at a greater risk of falling. A fall can result in serious injuries that affect your mobility, independence and lifestyle.

• 1 in 3 Canadians age 65 and over fall at least once a year
• Falling is NOT a normal part of aging
• Most falls can be prevented

The following checklist can help you identify the things that put you at risk of falling.

Answer the questions below to help you stay on your feet and prevent falls:

1. Have you had a fall in the last year?
2. Do you have trouble with your balance, are unsteady on your feet or have difficulty getting up from sitting?
3. Do you spend less than 30 minutes each day being physically active?
4. Do you take 3 or more medications a day?
5. Do you take medications for sleeping, blood pressure, mental health or pain, or any medications that make you drowsy or lightheaded?
6. Do you take less than 1000 IU of Vitamin D each day?
7. Do you eat less than 3 nutritious meals each day?
8. Do your shoes have high heels, slippery soles or fit poorly?
9. Do you wear slippers, socks or stockings without shoes?
10. Have you had a stroke?
11. Do you have arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease or problems with your heart, blood pressure or bladder?
12. Has it been more than 2 years since your eyes were tested or 1 year since your glasses were checked?
13. Do you do activities that put you at risk of falling such as climbing a ladder or using a step stool?
14. Are there hazards in your home that could cause you to fall such as scatter rugs, clutter on the floor or stairs, poor lighting?

Answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions identifies a personal risk factor that could lead to falls.

Share this checklist with your family, close friends or healthcare providers so they can help support your efforts to prevent falls.

For information and tips on how to prevent falls, visit www.preventfalls.ca

Take action TODAY to prevent falls and maintain your mobility and independence.