Women have been encouraged by a wellness campaign to highlight the dangers of brittle bones to the men in their life, so we can better tackle a preventable and treatable disease. The National Osteoporosis Foundation has taken this unusual step in order to cut breakages and mortality rates linked to the condition.
Why the campaign?
Although more women get brittle bones than men, figures show that some fractures seem to prove more fatal to men than women. After breaking a hip a third of men do not live longer than a year, which is not the case for women. In the US, two million men suffer from the condition with a further three million potentially developing it. These figures are expected to rocket over the next few years as populations live longer.
Getting Aware
Now the foundation has set up an awareness month that motivates women to be on the lookout for risk factors in their male friends and family. The organisation explains that the condition is both preventable and treatable and aims to push this idea to the wider public with its initiative. Education on these issues can help us improve aspects of our lives and wellbeing, so we actively enhance our bone health.
Strong bones
A good diet helps our body perform its necessary functions so we stay fit and well into our older years, and this also applies to our bone health. The campaign highlights how Vitamin D and calcium build strong bones, and how strength and resistance exercises boost bone mineral density. It’s also important to know what can affect our bones making them lighter and more at risk of fractures. Early menopause, cancer treatments, steroids, and other medications can all have a negative impact on our bone health, as can fractures, which hint at a genetic link to osteoporosis.
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