Do you know your risk?

Osteoporosis and broken bones have a number of known risk factors, which cause bones to lose strength. By understanding these risk factors, we can make positive changes for our bone health today.

From our late thirties, the amount of bone we have (also known as bone density) starts to naturally decrease. Women going through the menopause lose bone more rapidly due to hormone changes and are at greater risk of osteoporosis. As we then move into old age, our bones lose further strength and become more likely to break in general, even beyond our bone density.

The good news is that there are several positive lifestyle choices we can all make to help keep our bones strong and healthy. These include eating a balanced diet, getting enough vitamin D as recommended and exercising regularly.

To mark the launch of our campaign for World Osteoporosis Day (Thursday 20 October) to encourage people to check their risk, we spoke to Elisa, 47, from Battersea, London about her experience of being diagnosed with osteoporosis.

How did you come to be diagnosed?

I found out that I had osteoporosis by chance when cleaning my flat in London. I’d been moving a piece of furniture when I felt a strong pain in my back. After going to the hospital, I found out that I had fractured one of my vertebrae. The doctor referred me for further investigation and a DXA scan revealed that I had severe osteoporosis.

How does osteoporosis affect your daily life?

My first fracture was very painful, and I found day-to-day activities such as walking and taking care of myself, extremely difficult. My independence was hugely compromised, and my quality of life diminished for months. I don’t remember that period as a happy one. In the last six years I have experienced other fractures, most recently where I broke a shoulder blade. I find it extremely invalidating to experience fractures and to have to ask for help, and I wouldn’t wish this on anybody else.

I feel extremely lucky to have been diagnosed straight away because I was under 50 which is often seen as young. My fear is what will happen to me in 20 years’ time

What positive changes have you made for your bone health?

I was shocked at the news, and I’ve tried to do what I can to stabilise my bone density. I have an office job which means I’m often sitting down and typing so my posture is extremely important to me, and I do a lot of training to improve this. I’ve changed my gym routine from aerobics, HIIT and ‘body pump’ classes to other things more suitable for me such as aerial yoga, swimming, and aqua Zumba. Although some people with fractures manage to build up their exercise, it wasn’t right for me.

Help us raise awareness of bone health

Remember, it's never too early or late to act on your bone health - even after a diagnosis.

In just five minutes our new online risk checker provides people with free, tailored advice about their risk and practical tips on how to take action on their bone health.

Start sharing the risk checker today and help future-proof your loved ones' bone health.

Visit the share the risk checker web page today!