Osteoporosis

Young men who play load-bearing sports such as basketball and volleyball have a reduced risk of osteoporosis later in life, according to a new study.

Overview

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterised by bone loss and changes in the bone quality that could lead to loss of bone strength and fractures. Health24’s Osteoporosis Centre discusses the causes and risk factors of osteoporosis in women and men.

Osteoporosis is a ‘silent’ or asymptomatic disease as is often only diagnosed by means of a bone mineral density test when a person has had a fracture.

The condition centre also focuses on the risk factors as well as prevention of osteoporosis. There are lifestyle and changes such as following a calcium-enriched diet, taking calcium supplements, regular exercise and smoking cessation which will lead to a significant reduction in the severity and prevalence of osteoporosis. We explain when its time to call your doctor and what DEXA scans are. There is a section with news articles and archives, FAQ’s, test yourself and quizzes and illustrations of posture changes and common fracture sites.