BONING UP ON OSTEOPOROSIS It's essential to build up your bones if you want to stay active and pain-free into middle age and beyond. Here's how... O steoporosis (also known as brittle bones) is a condition caused by thinning of the bone tissue. This leads to bones becoming weak and fragile, and more vulnerable to fractures. Many people have no idea they have osteoporosis until their first broken bone. In advanced cases, even a little knock, cough or sneeze can lead to a fracture. It can be very disabling, making it difficult for the sufferer to enjoy a normal life. The most common fractures are of the wrist, hip and vertebra (spine bones). Small fractures in the spine can lead to stooping and chronic back pain. A fracture of a major bone such as the hip can lead to permanent disability or indirectly to death - around 30% of people over 75 who break a hip will die within a year, as lack of mobility increases their risk of respiratory conditions and other problems. Around three million people in the UK have osteoporosis, and there 72 | MARCH 2015 72-74 Osteo prevention.FINAL.indd 72 22/01/2015 16:15