80 percent of fractures caused by osteoporosis

If you’ve ever tripped over a child’s toy, slipped while scrubbing the tub or skated down an icy sidewalk trying to get to work, then you might want to listen up. A Quebec study presented Monday says that a shocking 80 percent of fractures in women over the age of 50 are related to osteoporosis.

What’s more appalling is that 80 percent of those women were never diagnosed or treated for the disease. That means that they are at a higher risk for a new fracture.

The study of 3,288 women recommends that doctors always consider osteoporosis as a factor once a woman is over the age of 50 and suffers a non-traumatic fracture. As it stands now, bone density tests are the standard way healthcare professionals determine the probability of a recurring fracture. However, the patient’s fracture history is not typically part of that process, meaning that thousands of women are not being diagnosed because someone isn’t looking at the bigger picture.

Under 50 and think this doesn’t apply to you? Consider your family history and speak with your mother and family physician about calcium intake. The younger you are, the better your body’s ability to absorb calcium.

What about your exercise regime? Maintaining good muscle tone (strength training) helps to protect your bones against osteoporosis.

What do you do to ward off osteoporosis?