Osteoporosis: 7 myths
Osteoporosis affects the bone tissue and results in the loss of bone mass. Consequently, the bones become more porous and therefore weaken. Although we hear more and more about this disease, certain myths are still widely spread. Here is a list of 7 myths about osteoporosis and the truth behind them.
1- Osteoporosis is a woman’s disease
Although more women are affected by this disease, mainly due to the decrease in oestrogen levels after menopause, the fact remains that a lot of men are also affected by it (10 to 25% of them). In rare cases, children can even suffer from osteoporosis.
2- People with osteopenia will automatically suffer from osteoporosis
Osteopenia is linked to a low bone density and is often a precursor of osteoporosis. However, people living with osteopenia will not necessarily develop osteoporosis. In many cases, osteopenia affects only a region of the body and does not result in a generalized loss of bone mass.
3- People suffering from osteoporosis will inevitably suffer from a bone fracture
According to statistics, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men living with osteoporosis will fracture a bone. However, many people with normal bone mass also break a bone at some point in their life. Therefore, there is not an automatic cause and effect relation between the two although the risk remains high.
4- Osteoporosis is not a serious illness
On the contrary, osteoporosis is a serious illness that can even be fatal. On top of the risk of the loss of autonomy that comes with this disease, a large number of the bone fractures linked to osteoporosis are fractures of the hip. This type of fracture is not benign as more than 25% of the people who have experienced such a fracture die within 6 to 12 months. The main causes are the complications linked to the replacement and operation of the hip (pneumonia, heart attacks, infections…).
5- Osteoporosis is not a common disease
In Canada, 2 million people suffer from this disease. The problems linked to bones and articulations are such that the United Nations devoted the decade stemming from 2000 to 2010 to the prevention of osteoporosis and other bone and joint diseases.
6- Osteoporosis is a normal part of aging
This statement is false for two reasons. First of all, because osteoporosis, and therefore the loss of bone mass, can affect people in their forties and even in their twenties or thirties. Second of all, because genetics and other factors such as medical history, smoking and eating habits can put you more at risk to developing this disease.
7- There is no way to prevent osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is not inevitable. On the contrary, certain factors that lead to the loss of bone mass can be controlled (see our article 5 effective tricks to fight osteoporosis!). Combining a healthy lifestyle and a natural supplement such as Genacol Bone & Joint helps to prevent and fight osteoporosis.
