Question 2

Contact your GP practice.

If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions you may have osteoporosis. Contact your GP, who may refer you for a bone mineral density scan, known as a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA, or DXA) scan.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common condition that affects bones, causing a reduction in bone density. Having osteoporosis doesn’t automatically mean that your bones will break (fracture), but it does mean that you’ve a higher chance of breaking a bone if you have a bump or fall.

There are usually no warnings you’ve developed osteoporosis and it’s often only diagnosed when a bone is fractured after even minor falls.

Wrist fractures, hip fractures and fractures of the vertebrae (bones in the spine) are the most common type of breaks that affect people with osteoporosis. However, they can also occur in other bones — such as in the arm, ribs or pelvis.

If you’ve had a broken bone following a simple slip or trip, speak to your GP or other health professional about your bone health.

What can I do to help?

• Eat a healthy balanced diet rich in calcium
• Spend time outside to build up your vitamin D levels. Most people in the UK get enough vitamin D by exposing their hands and face to the sun for 10 minutes, once or twice a day (depending on skin type). This has to be without sunscreen and taking care not to burn
• Do regular weight-bearing, muscle-strengthening and balance exercises
• Stop smoking, and limit the amount of alcohol you drink
• If you have been prescribed medication for osteoporosis keep taking it as advised

Further support

• The Royal Osteoporosis Society works to improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Their trained nurses can answer medical queries and give you information about osteoporosis. Their helpline 0845 450 0230 is open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

For more information about looking after your bones, visit the NHS inform How to look after your bones section

It looks like you are not at risk of osteoporosis. However, it is still important to keep your bones healthy. You can do this by:

• Eating a healthy balanced diet rich in calcium
• Spending time outside to build up your vitamin D levels. Most people in the UK get enough vitamin D by exposing their hands and face to the sun for 10 minutes, once or twice a day (depending on skin type). This has to be without sunscreen and taking care not to burn.
• Doing regular weight-bearing, muscle-strengthening and balance exercises
• Stopping smoking, and limit the amount of alcohol you drink

 

For more information about looking after your bones, visit the NHS inform How to look after your bones section.

It looks like you are not at risk of osteoporosis. However, it is still important to keep your bones healthy. You can do this by:

• Eating a healthy balanced diet rich in calcium
• Spending time outside to build up your vitamin D levels. Most people in the UK get enough vitamin D by exposing their hands and face to the sun for 10 minutes, once or twice a day (depending on skin type). This has to be without sunscreen and taking care not to burn.
• Doing regular weight-bearing, muscle-strengthening and balance exercises
• Stopping smoking, and limit the amount of alcohol you drink

 

For more information about looking after your bones, visit the NHS inform How to look after your bones section.