As the average age of the population gets older, we face different health issues. One of the greatest concerns for the elderly today. The rate of osteoporosis, which causes the bones to be brittle and break easily, seems to be increasing every year. There are many causes of this disease, but the most common is a decrease in hormones that regulate bone growth. Along with bone brittleness, older adults have become more prone to falls. This has been due to medication side effects, vision impairment, and unsteadiness as muscle function declines.
Key Takeaways:
- In Australia, it is estimated that 4.74 million Australians aged over 50 have osteoporosis, osteopenia (less severe than osteoporosis) or poor bone health. By 2022, it’s estimated this will increase to 6.2 million, with one fracture occurring every 2.9 minutes.
- In 2012, the total cost of poor bone health in adults aged over 50 was A$2.75 billion, and 64% of this cost was directly associated with treating and managing fractures.
- Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become fragile and brittle, leading to higher risk of breakage. This occurs when bones lose minerals such as calcium more quickly than the body can replace them.
“As the level of these hormones decline from about the age of 50 in women and around 60 in men, the rate of bone breakdown is faster than the growth of new bone to replace it. Over time this leads to weaker, thinner bones.”
https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://theconversation.com/why-older-people-get-osteoporosis-and-have-falls-68145&ct=ga&cd=CAIyGmU0N2NhMzY3ZTc4ODMzY2U6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNHnu0k581orY_KCeG6EH4meGlpT7w