October 20th is World Osteoporosis Day. This is an annual marked occasion in which people all over the world unite to highlight the immense physical and social burden caused by osteoporosis and musculoskeletal conditions each year. This year’s campaign calls on the public to take early action to protect their muscle and bone health. Health care professionals are also encouraged to educate individuals on osteoporosis and fracture prevention by making sure that individuals who are at high-risk are appropriately assessed and treated.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the quality and density of bones are reduced. Due to this the risk of fractures is greatly increased in individuals who have osteoporosis. The onset of osteoporosis can be a slow process with some individuals experiencing little to no symptoms until they fracture a bone.

The most common types of osteoporotic fracture occur in the hip, spine and wrist. Fractures that occur in the vertebrae of the spine can have serious complications for osteoporosis sufferers such as loss of height, intense back pain and deformity (also known as Dowager’s Hump).

The good news is that being proactive and taking the proper precautions you can prevent the onset of osteoporosis. Healthcare providers advise following these five steps:

• Exercise regularly
• Ensure a rich diet in bone healthy nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and protein
• Avoid negative lifestyle choices such as smoking and being overweight
• Find out whether you are at risk of developing osteoporosis
• Get advice and treatment from a healthcare professional if needed

Here at Conefrey’s Pharmacy, we understand the importance of keeping your body healthy. We provide a range of vitamins and joint support supplements such as ZinCuFlex, Revive Active , JointAce and Glucosamine. If you have any questions or would like to know more about osteoporosis, please call in store and we would be more than happy to help you.