Osteoporosis: The four most common myths

A serious condition which affects the skeletal system, osteoporosis affects millions of people and can even lead to death if not treated or managed properly. This is largely suffered by women and can be incredibly debilitating. There are ways to help prevent the condition, such as exercising regularly to keep the joints healthy and ensuring you get plenty of vitamin D and calcium. There are various myths surrounding this condition though, which can hinder the treatment or prevention of this disease.

Myth Number 1

The most common myth is that osteoporosis only affects women at menopause, however it can also result in younger women – in particular, those who have crashed dieted for long periods of time, suffer from anorexia or have continued bouts of extreme exercise are also at risk. All of these things impact our bone health, which opens us up to more risks to our health. Men are also at risk – while it is true that women are affected more often, men do also develop the condition, and particularly those aged over 50.

Myth Number 2

Not all women are vulnerable to the disease, though many people mistakenly think that they are. There are many factors which affect our risk level, such as lifestyle or genetics.

Myth Number 3

X-rays aren’t a sure fire way to diagnose the condition, so don’t request one from your GP if you think you might have osteoporosis. A bone scan or a recent break are the only real ways to diagnose it.

Myth Number 4

Lastly, the most dangerous myth is that osteoporosis isn’t that dangerous to those who suffer from it. In reality, this condition is incredibly harmful and can even be fatal as it leads to weakened bones which can result in a disabling fall. If you think you might be at risk or believe that you have the condition, you should speak to your GP so that they can determine whether you have the disease and can advise you which course of action to take.