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Osteoporosis Treatment-Osteoporosis in Ireland

David Fitzgerald

Osteoporosis treatment in Ireland is a prevelant health issue and at DublinPhysio.ie we manage many patients with this condition. As it is a “silent ” condition screening, early detection and prevention are the key principals of management. Early detection of osteoporosis is essential to minimize pain and suffering.

osteoporosis-treatment

Osteoporosis prevelance in Ireland

1 in 5 men and 1 in 3 women (1 in 2 over 65) as well as children are affected by osteoporosis. It is preventable and treatable in the majority of people but detection Is essential.

Osteoporosis causes (risk Factors)

Osteoporosis has many different causes (risk factors). If you have one risk factor or more it is recommended that you speak to your GP about that the possibility of getting a DEXA scan.

Since the disease is silent a DEXA scan of the spine and hips is the only way of knowing if you have it.

 

Osteoporosis Risk factor Check

 

1. Family history of osteoporis?

Is there a family history of osteoporosis, hip or wrist fractures, loss of body height or increased spinal curvature.

 

2. Other medical conditions causing Osteoporosis

  • Broken bones from a  fall
  • Anorexia or bulimia
  • Gastrointestinal disorders such as Coeliac’s, Crohn’s or Ulcerative colitis
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Thyroid hormone problems
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Turner’s syndrome
  • Klinefelter’s syndrome
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Bone marrow disorders
  • Connective tissue disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Scoliosis

 

3.Treatments for other illnesses causing Osteoporosis

  • Chemotherapy or radiation
  • Corticosteroids (prednisone, prednisone or cortisone)
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Organ transplant
  • Diuretics
  • Chronic heparin or warfarin
  • Antipsychotic medications (lithium)

 

4. Lifestyle factors which can cause osteoporosis

  • Excessive physiological or psychological stress
  • Low body weight for your height
  • Excessive athletic activity
  • Lack of regular exercise
  • Low daily calcium intake
  • Low vitamin D
  • Intolerance to dairy products
  • Excessive fiber consumption
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol consumption greater than 14 units per week for women and 21 units per week for men

 

Additional Osteoporosis risk factors  for women

  • Oestrogen efficiency
  • First period after age 15
  • Irregular or no. It’s for more than four months (outside of pregnancy)
  • Post-menopausal
  • Premature menopause (under  45)
  • Surgical menopause (hysterectomy, removal of ovaries)
  • Endometriosis

 

Additional Osteoporosis risk factors for men

Testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism)

 

Secondary risk factors for osteoporosis

  • Wheelchair or bedbound
  • Impaired mobility for more than six weeks
  • Sudden, severe episodes and upper, middle or low back pain.
  • Loss of height (4-16CM)

 

Information supplied by the Irish Osteoporosis Society

So if you have any doubt about osteoporis check with your GP.

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