HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS

It's never too late to start taking care of your bone health

Osteoporosis is a bone condition that affects 1.36 million Australians. Literally meaning “porous bone”, it sets in when our bones lose their strength and density, leading to a higher risk of breaking a bone from a minor bump or fall.

“This year it is estimated there will be over 165,000 broken bones due to poor bone health,” says endocrinologist Professor Peter Ebeling, who is Head of Department of Medicine at the Monash Medical Centre at Monash University, and the Medical Director of Osteoporosis Australia.

But despite the serious risks that come with it, many of us know surprisingly little about this common condition.

Here we take a look at some beliefs surrounding osteoporosis and separate fact from fiction.

CLAIM:

Osteoporosis only affects women… FALSE “In fact, up to 30 per cent of cases occur in men,” Professor Ebeling reveals. “Women and men over the age of 50 years with risk factors for osteoporosis should be investigated by their doctor.”

CLAIM: