Healthy Bones & The Flora Mini Marathon
The Osteoporosis Society are asking all participants of the Flora mini marathon to consider running or walking for the charity. The charities funding has declined by 70% and will possibly be closing.
There is no other organisation in the Republic of Ireland that deals specifically with osteoporosis, this is why it is essential for the charity to stay open.
The person who raises the most amount of money for the charity will win a €1,000 voucher for Killeen Castle and the second runner up will win a signed Rugby ball by Brent Pope. Sponsorship cards and T shirts are available from the charity.
Running and walking are excellent forms of weight bearing exercise and the charity are trying to raise awareness of this fact, along with the many risk factors.
Osteoporosis is the leading bone disease in the world, even though it is preventable and treatable in the majority of people. Unlike many diseases there are NO signs or symptoms prior to a fracture. A person will not feel their bones thinning.
Manypeople think that osteoporosis only affects older women, and the only cause is the menopause, however there are over 60 causes of osteoporosis. 1 in 5 men and 1 in 2 women over 50 will break bones due to osteoporosis, but it also affects all age groups including children. €402 million is spent annually just on falls and fractures in senior citizens. The secondary affects of a broken bone are one of the major causes of loss of independence in senior citizens.
One of the misconceptions is that if a person eats a healthy diet and exercises, that they will not develop osteoporosis. The Irish Osteoporosis Society charities founder and president was the doctor too the Irish Olympic team for three Olympics. Professor O’Brien became involved with osteoporosis because a lot of the athletes were developing stress fractures that were not biomechanical, but were due to undiagnosed osteoporosis.
The male on the far right of the poster is an Olympic and World (multiple) riffle shooting champion, who has reversed his bones back to normal. The youngest person in the picture is 19 with the bones of an 84 year old, she had not broken a bone prior to being diagnosed. It took three years but she has returned her bones to normal. Osteoporosis is reversible in certain cases, however early detection is essential. Osteoporosis is preventable and treatable in the majority of people.
The skeleton images show the affects of undiagnosed Osteoporosis at any age. There are over 60 causes: Genetics, irregular periods, the menopause, constant dieting, anorexia and/or bulimia, over exercising, corticosteroids, Heparin, Warfarin, radiation, chemotherapy, Arimidex for breast cancer, some treatments for prostate cancer and some medications for thyroid and depression. Physiological and psychological stresscan affect sex hormones which can affect bone.
Signs and Symptoms of possible undiagnosed osteoporosis
· Fractures (broken bones) due to low trauma: Any adult who breaks a bone from a trip and fall or less, even if it was on ice or cement.
· Loss in height: 2-16cm - It is not normal at any age to loose height, it is a red flag if a person has lost more than 2 cm in height, the person should be checked for Osteoporosis.
· Sudden episodes of upper, middle or low back pain: Osteoporosis should be ruled out if a person has undiagnosed back pain, especially if the person has lost height or developed a hump on their back.
· A hump developing on a person’s upper back is a red flag that the person should get a DXA scan. If it is osteoporosis, the bones in the spine are fracturing and will continue to fracture unless treatment is initiated.
· Change in body shape or size - Usually associated with loss of height. This can happen due to the vertebra collapsing (bones in spine), followed by the rib cage ending up resting on the pelvis because the spine has lost bone support to hold it upright. A pot belly can then occur as there is no place for the stomach contents to go, other than outwards. Severe undiagnosed Osteoporosis can cause chronic pain, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, loss of independence and premature death.
Osteoporosis Facts:
· 20% of Irish people aged 60+ who fracture a hip will die within 6-12 months. People die from the secondary affects of a hip fracture, which are usually due to the person not being mobile. These affects are: a blood clot, pneumonia or infection.
· 50% of Irish people aged 60+ who fracture a hip will not be able to wash, dress or walk across a room unaided.
· Only 30% of Irish people aged 60+ who fracture a hip regain their independence.
· 90% of hip fractures are due to osteoporosis but only approximately 15% of people with osteoporosis are diagnosed.
· One hip fracture costs €31,000 but a DXA scan to check for osteoporosis costs approximately €100.
If you are interested in helping to support the charity or have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us at: Lo-call Helpline: 1890 252 751-Helpline: 01 637 5050- Web: www.irishosteoporosis.ie