More than 3,000 New Zealanders break a hip each year. As many as one fifth of them may die within a year from related complications, a third may not return home, and those that do may lose their mobility and independence. The saddest part is, many such fractures can be avoided and a lot of heartache prevented.

Fractures of the hip, spine and wrist are just some of the symptoms of a gradual yet debilitating disease called osteoporosis.

A so-called ‘silent’ disease, it can creep up without warning where often the first sign of a problem is a broken bone.

Other symptoms of osteoporosis may include height loss, unexplained back pain or rounding of the spine or a ‘hump’, but the problem isn’t usually diagnosed until a fracture occurs.

HOW DOES OSTEOPOROSIS OCCUR?
Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density and strength that causes bones to become brittle and break more easily.

It occurs as we get older and hormone levels change, causing our bones to break down faster than they’re naturally replaced, resulting in weaker, more porous bones.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE WORRIED
In New Zealand, an osteoporotic fracture occurs every six minutes and a hip fracture occurs every two hours. More than half of women and nearly a third of men aged over 60 are affected.

If you think you’re at risk of osteoporosis, talk to your GP. They may recommend you have a bone density test (a DEXA scan) which is used to measure bone loss and also the likelihood of fracture. The test is simple, takes about five minutes and is painless.

The good news is, even if osteoporosis is advanced, it’s never too late to treat it and prevent it from getting worse.

OSTEOPOROSIS CAN BE STOPPED
Osteoporosis New Zealand executive director Julia Gallagher says, “Many chronic conditions continue to get worse over time, even when treated. But with osteoporosis, you can take medication that prevents bone loss and actually halts the progression of the disease.”

She also recommends doing everything you can while you’re younger, to prevent the development of osteoporosis.

“A calcium-rich diet is essential along with plenty of physical activity.” Weight-bearing exercise that works the muscles against gravity helps keep your bones strong, she says. Try walking, dancing, golf, tennis and low-impact aerobics.
“Osteoporosis is a disease that manifests itself in later years, but its foundation is in youth. It’s never too early or too late to do something about it.” For more visit
www.bones.org.nz

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE USING FOSAMAX Plus (alendronate/colecalciferol) 70mg/140mcg (5600 IU vitamin D3) tablets: FOSAMAX Plus is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in select patients where Vitamin D supplementation is recommended. FOSAMAX Plus should not be taken by patients who have a hypersensitivity reaction, food pipe (oesophageal) abnormalities, low calcium (hypocalcaemia) and have an inability to stand/sit upright for 30mins. Precaution should be taken when administering FOSAMAX Plus to patients with active upper gastrointestinal problems or impaired renal function. Common side effects are: abdominal pain, dyspepsia, food pipe (oesophageal) ulcer, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), abdominal distension, musculoskeletal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence and headache. FOSAMAX Plus is a prescription only medicine fully subsidised under special authority for those who meet specified criteria. Consult your doctor to see if FOSAMAX Plus is right for you, a normal doctor’s visit fee will usually apply. Use only as directed and if symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health professional. Marketed by: Merck Sharp & Dohme (NZ) Limited, Newmarket, Auckland. For detailed prescribing information, consult the data sheet or consumer medicine information, phone 0800 500 673,
or refer to the Medsafe website www.medsafe.govt.nz. [MPI-FSP-8] FSP-11-NZ-6129-JA TAPS NA4841 First issued 14 April 2011.

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