Osteoporosis

• Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the strength and quality of the bones, causing weakness in the skeleton.
• It is not a normal part of ageing.
• The most common outcome of osteoporosis is a fracture.
• Risk of fractures can be reduced with a healthy diet, physical activity and lifestyle changes.

While osteoporosis may occur in men and young women, it is most common in post-menopausal women, with 1 in 3 developing the condition.

What are the signs and symptoms?

You may experience pain and ongoing issues after you fracture (break):

• a hip
• your spine.

What causes it?

Osteoporosis can be due to:

• family history
• low levels of calcium and vitamin D in your body
• some medical conditions
• lifestyle factors.

How can it be treated?

Your osteoporosis can be managed to reduce your risk of fractures. You can:

• participate in weight bearing exercise
• have a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• maintain a physically active lifestyle
• avoid smoking
• reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
• take part in balance training.

Talk to your healthcare professional about improving your bone health through exercise and diet.

Where to get help

• See your doctor or healthcare professional.
• Visit painHEALTH (external site), a website developed by WA Health, Curtin University and The University of Western Australia. painHEALTH is dedicated to helping sufferers of osteoarthritis and other forms of chronic pain and musculoskeletal pain.
• Contact Arthritis & Osteoporosis Western Australia (external site) on 9388 2199 or 1800 011 041 (country callers) or email general@arthritiswa.org.au

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This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.