By tbemho 28/04/2017 Uncategorized osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta 12 Ada Street Harris Park NSW 2150

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common condition with an estimated 1.2 million people diagnosed in Australia and a further 6.3 million people with low bone density. This disease makes bones more brittle leading to a higher risk of fractures than healthy bones. The condition is caused when the bones lose calcium more quickly than the body can replace them leading to a loss of bone thickness and density. Osteoporosis has no symptoms until a fracture occurs. Can occur in any bone, but is commonly found in the wrist, spine and hip. Fractures in the spine – known as wedge fractures occur in the elderly as a result of osteoporosis can result in height loss and changes in posture.

Risk Factors

• Family history of condition (hip fracture in a parent)
– Breast Cancer treated with Aromatase Inhibitors or Tamoxifen
– Prostate Cancer treated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy
• Medications that affect bone strength
• Experienced a broken bone after a minor bump or fall
– Steroid use for longer than 3 months (tablets or high-dose puffers)
• Low testosterone levels in men
• Coeliac Disease
• Hyperthyroidism or Hyperparathyroidism
• Chronic kidney or liver disease
• Low vitamin D levels

Preventing Falls:

Preventing Falls
For people with osteoporosis, preventing falls is vitally important as even a minor fall may cause a bone fracture.
Falls are most commonly caused by: