News

Love Your Bones

Published
October 20, 2019

World Osteoporosis Day, held on October 20 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Find out how you can check your risk factors.

Over 1 Million people in Australian have osteoporosis which affects both women and men. If you’re over 50, you should discuss risk factors with your doctor and book in for a bone density scan.

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and fragile so that they can easily break. A minor fall, bump, sudden movement or even a sneeze could result in a bone fracture.

Managing your bone health is essential, and there is a lot that can be done to help reduce your risk or treat osteoporosis, including effective treatments to reduce the risk of fractures.

Maintain a healthy diet with suitable levels of vitamin D and calcium.

Adults require 1,000 mg per day of calcium (preferably through diet), which increases to 1,300 mg per day for women over 50 and men over 70. A lack of sun exposure can also mean you are not getting enough vitamin D which your body needs to absorb calcium.

Enjoy regular physical activity and exercise

Specific types of exercise are important for improving bone strength, including walking, light aerobics, lawn bowls or Tai Chi. Light resistance or weight training, such as lifting hand weights, can also help. For older people, the focus of exercise is to increase or maintain muscle mass and strength, and address risk factors for falls, particularly any difficultly in balance and walking ability.

Check your risk factors

Know Your Bones is a simple online tool to help you check your risk factors for osteoporosis which may include:

  • Your family history
  • Your calcium and vitamin D levels
  • Your medical history
  • Lifestyle factors

Take the test at https://www.knowyourbones.org.au/

For more information about world osteoporosis day visit: http://worldosteoporosisday.org/

Mayflower encourages our residents to take part in our lifestyle programs which offer a range of activities designed to maintain a healthy level of regular exercise to help reduce risk factors associated with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis