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Osteoporosis – a personal story

Being diagnosed with osteoporosis can be both emotionally and practically challenging. Listening to others who have experienced similar situations is often re-assuring and can be helpful for you, your loved ones or when preparing questions for your doctor or a specialist.

Jane’s excruciating back pain that started during labour wasn’t investigated until six weeks later. Eventually she was diagnosed with osteoporosis through pregnancy, and also coeliac disease. Jane says that she had coeliac symptoms for many years but these were not investigated. She is taking calcium, no other medicine for osteoporosis.

Read the related video transcript >
 

More information

Learn more about this condition in our osteoporosis section.

Please note...

This interview has been sourced from healthtalkonline.org, award-winning research into patient experiences in conjunction with the Health Experience Research Group at Oxford University, UK.

healthdirect doesn't endorse any personal opinions expressed in the video, and we recommend you discuss any questions you have regarding unfamiliar terms or descriptions, as well as how this experience compares to the Australian health care system, with a health professional.

Copyright: ©2013 University of Oxford. Used under licence from DIPEx. All rights reserved.

Sources:

healthtalk.org (Osteoporosis, age of diagnosis 23-39, interview 19)

Last reviewed: February 2013

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Exercise to prevent osteoporosis - myDr.com.au

Regular weight-bearing exercise and strength (resistance) training can help improve your bone density and decrease your risk of osteoporosis.

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Prevention | Osteoporosis Australia

What can I do to prevent osteoporosis? You can take action to maintain and improve your bone health at every stage of life. Adequate calcium intake, propervitamin D levels (to help absorb calcium) and specific exercises are all important for healthy bones.For people with low bone density or osteoporosis these 3 factors are veryimportant.

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Real Stories | Osteoporosis Australia

Real Stories What does a world famous Lead Guitarist, former AFL Coach, University Dean and a Documentary Producer have in common?Well theyre all busyand they all care about their bones. Living with low bone density or osteoporosis means taking action to improve your bone health. Many thanks to the following individuals who have taken the time to share their stories with us to encourage us all to take better care of our bones.

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Exercise | Osteoporosis Australia

Regular physical activity and exercise plays an important role in maintaining or improving bone density.

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What you need to know about Osteoporosis

1.2 million Australians are affected by osteoporosis, which means that their bones are fragile and at risk of fracture. A further 6.3 million people have low bone density (osteopenia), a possible precursor to osteoporosis. However, as many as 4 out of 5 people with osteoporosis don’t know that they have it and therefore don’t know that they are at risk of fracturing a bone. This is because osteoporosis is a ‘silent’ disease without obvious symptoms.

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Five steps to better bone health

Building strong bones throughout your lifetime will enable you to continue doing the things you enjoy for longer. It will also help you live independently, free of the pain and suffering caused by broken bones. There are many actions that you can take to prevent and control osteoporosis.

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Osteopenia

Osteopenia is the term used by doctors to describe low bone density. People with osteopenia have bones that are weaker than normal, but not weak enough to be called osteoporosis. Osteopenia or low bone density is thought to affect around 6.3 million Australians, and is an early warning sign that you should be taking action to reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis and breaking a bone in the future.

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Calcium | Osteoporosis Australia

Calcium is essential for building and maintaining bone. Almost99% of the bodys calcium is found in the bones. Calcium combines with other minerals to form hard crystals that give your bones strength and structure.

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Bone mineral density tests - myDr.com.au

Bone mineral density testing assesses the mineral content of your bones. Low bone mineral density - osteopenia or osteoporosis - makes bones weak.

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Osteoporosis (brittle bone diseases) information video | myVMC

Osteoporosis is a condition of reduced bone density or bone mass which causes brittle bones that break easily. Calcium and vitamin D protect bone health.

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