About 3 million people in the UK suffer with osteoporosis. It can affect one in three women and one in twelve men after the age of 50 ( National Osteoporotic Society UK).
Majority of fractures suffered by one in two women and one in five men, after the age of 50 are osteoporotic. Fractures result in mortality, morbidity and loss of independence. Approximately 20% of patients die within six months Physiotherapy in Edgware following a hip fracture. A further 20 % will end up in care homes.
One of the causes is lack of oestrogen in women and low levels of testosterone in men.
The other causes for men and women include:
• Corticosteroid tablets
• Family history
• Mal-absorption, inflammatory bowel disease and stomach surgery
• Long term immobility
• Heavy drinking
• Smoking
• Low body weight/ eating disorders
The high risk groups are:
• Those committed to at least 3 months of any dose of oral steroid
• Those with a recent or previous low trauma fracture
• The frail, housebound, elderly or those in care home.
Preventing falls is extremely important in Osteoporosis pilates harrow. In the UK about 1/3 of individuals over 65 years of age will fall each year. One of the big causes of falls is osteoporosis as it can make it difficult to move around leading to weaker muscles and stiff joints.
Healthy balanced eating
Whatever your age or sex, it is vital to make sure that what you eat today will help to keep your skeleton strong for the future.
Aim to eat meals that incorporate a wide variety of foods including fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates like bread, chappatis, rice, potatoes, pasta and cereals, milk and dairy products, and proteins such as lentils, pulses, meat, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds. Low fat or fat free dairy products have as much if not more calcium as their full fat varieties.
A healthy, balanced diet will also help provide you with all the vitamins, minerals and energy you need to live life to the full, keep your bones healthy and reduce the risk of other chronic diseases too.
Exercise and strong bones
Another way your skeleton can grow stronger is if you do regular weight- bearing exercise. This is any kind of physical activity where you are supporting the weight of your own body, for example jogging, aerobics, tennis, dancing and brisk walking.
If you have osteoporosis and are at high risk of breaking bones, you may need to be careful of vigorous, high impact exercise. After all, broken hips occur in older people when their bones are frail and they fall. But remember, it’s important to stay active and find something you enjoy.
The exercise classes for older adults at The Sherwood Clinic, Harrow aim at achieving fitness and stamina for the older adults who may have underlying health condition e.g. osteoprosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, spondylosis, chronic pain.
For more information and to participate, contact the reception at Sherwood on 0208 869 0000.
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