National Osteoporosis Month: what to know

Osteoporosis weakens bone structure and may progress without obvious symptoms until a fracture occurs. A fall or everyday movement can cause injuries such as a hip fracture, stress fracture, or vertebral compression fracture. Risk is influenced by age, previous fractures, family history, body build, medicines, hormone changes, smoking, alcohol, nutrition, and conditions such as vitamin D deficiency.

Awareness month is a useful prompt, not a diagnosis. A clinician can review your personal risks and decide whether a bone density scan is appropriate. The result is considered with your history rather than interpreted in isolation.

Book a routine review if you have risk factors, a low-impact fracture, height loss, persistent back pain, or concerns about balance. Build regular weight-bearing and strengthening activity into your week when safe, improve lighting and home pathways, and review medicines that may cause dizziness with a clinician. Eat a varied diet and ask whether calcium or vitamin D supplementation is suitable for you.

If osteoporosis is confirmed or fracture risk is high, treatment may include bisphosphonate therapy or another prescribed option. Take medicines as directed and report new symptoms rather than stopping treatment independently.

Seek urgent assessment after a fall with hip or back pain, inability to bear weight, a new change in spinal shape, or severe pain after a small movement. Immediate help is needed for weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control alongside back pain. A suspected fracture should be assessed even when swelling is limited.

What factors affect my fracture risk? Do I need a bone density scan? Which exercise and fall-prevention changes fit me? Should I check vitamin D or calcium intake? Would prescription treatment help, and how will we monitor it?