1 in 5 UK Men Break a Bone.......

This statistic is somewhat alarming. Quite worrying. But when I saw the figures for women I was staggered. One in two women over the age of fifty, in the UK, will break a bone. ONE in TWO!

The reason for this is Osteoporosis, or brittle bone disease as it is commonly known, and an innocent trip or fall can mean abject misery and pain for millions of people.

Osteoporosis occurs when the struts which make up the mesh-like structure within bones become thin, causing bones to become fragile and break easily – Hips, spine, wrists and pelvis are the most common fractures.

So what are we doing about this life debilitating disease I hear you ask? Well, there are a number of things that are being promoted to improve healthy bones:-

Screening to test for hereditary problems and medicines, usually in the form of an injection. Vitamin D intake and calcium can help promote stronger bones (700mg of calcium per day for anyone aged over 19 years is recommended).

A well balanced diet including ‘your 5 a day’ and fresh fish with a reduction of sugar, salt and saturated fat intake.

Exercise! Yes – the old faithful ‘makes you look great, feel better, live longer if we could bottle it we’d make a fortune EXERCISE’. Weight bearing exercise such as strength training, group exercises, jogging and sport are all actively promoted. Essentially, what we must ensure, is that we all ‘bank enough bone’ when we are younger so that our skeleton is stronger in later life when we are more likely to be at risk.

Specifiers of sports and fitness facilities need to do their job and should provide those exercising with the correct surface with an adequate bio-mechanical response by way of % force reduction and protection. Falling over on a hard unyielding sports or studio floor whilst playing sport or sprinting during a circuit class could cause the very damage that we are trying to prevent.

As the UK population ages Osteoporosis can sit alongside the ticking time bomb of obesity, smoking and alcohol related diseases.

For more information. https://www.nos.org.uk/about-osteoporosis