Women and Osteoporosis: All you need to know

Published: Monday, May 27, 2013

The NWCI and the Irish Osteoporosis Society held an awareness raising roundtable in April on osteoporosis and its effect on women in Ireland. Michele O Brien from the Irish Osteoporosis Society gave an excellent overview to a large audience on the silent killer disease with no signs or symptoms unless you have a DXA scan of spine and hips. Osteoporosis affects children, women and men but generally more women especially women over 50 as they can lose up to 30% of their overall bone density while going through the menopause. 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over 50 years will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

The vital importance of prevention, early diagnosis and access to screening was emphasised again and again throughout the session. Osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable disease in the majority of cases but early diagnosis is essential for the best prognosis. Persons particularly at risk are people with eating disorders, cancer patients, coeliac sufferers, rheumatoid arthritis, people on Heparin or Warfarin or people with intolerance to dairy products or inadequate calcium and vitamin D. People who suffer from stress or smoke and have excessive alcohol intake are particularly vulnerable.

Prevention is key. A DXA scan costs 100 euro but you can also access for free by a referral from your GP but there is a waiting list. Physical exercise is essential to prevention or if you have been diagnosed alongside plenty of calcium and Vitamin D intake.

Here is a link to the presentation by Michele O Brien. The NWCI would like to thank and acknowledge the fantastic work of the Irish Osteoporosis Society in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.