Can osteoporosis kill you?
No, low bone density does not cause death. It is some of the consequences of breaking a bone - particularly the hip - that contribute to people dying. Broken hips most commonly occur in the over-70s which will often require major hip surgery.Anaesthesia for the operation carries risks for the older population and they can also develop other complications in hospital which can lead to death. Prolonged bed rest can lead to chest or other infections developing because the broken hip leaves them unable to move around easily. It is these infections picked up as a consequence of the broken hip that lead to death rather than actual broken bone itself.
Can you prevent osteoporosis?
About 80 percent of our bone health is largely inherited from our parents. Research reveals that a family history of the disease, particularly if your mother has broken a hip after only a minor fall, leaves you at greater risk of the same happening to you.But 20 percent of our bone health lies in our own hands and if we take the right steps through the major bone strengthening years (up to the age of 25) then we can 'bank' bone that will hopefully see us through the bone loss years later in life - which is a natural part of ageing.
