Osteoporosis - Guard Against The 'Silent Thief'

Known as a 'silent epidemic' osteoporosis is a global health concern affecting 200 million people worldwide. With no warning signs in early stages, the disease catches attention only when one has suffered a bone fracture. The new-age women dump the earlier image of 'fragile and hunched' associated with the disease to continue leading independent and challenging lives even in their 50s and 60s. This Woman's Day, CrediHealth encourage all women to guard against the 'silent thief!' Osteoporosis is called 'silent thief' because it intrudes into the bones of vulnerable women and take away their ability to replace calcium resulting in weaker and brittle bones. A persistent back pain is at the most sole warning sign of osteoporosis which generally pays a surprise visit with a broken bone. Don't ignore this early indicator of persistent back pain as a consequence of hectic day or wrong posture. Read these shocking statistics of osteoporosis: (Source: Timeless Women Report)

1. 1 out of 3 women over 50 years of age fractures a bone due to osteoporosis.
2. It is a common myth that osteoporosis is an old woman's disease. Even, people as young as 25 are affected.
3. 1 out of 4 who fracture a hip die within a year
4. 25% of those who suffer hip fracture suffer from immobility

These statistics highlight that you should not downplay the seriousness of the disease. In an article on Be Bone-wise which appeared in October 2010 issue of Reader's Digest magazine, Professor John Eisman, director of osteoporosis research at Sydney Garvan Institute said women are probably more likely to die in relation to osteoporosis than from breast cancer. In the words of Ursula Andress who is a Swiss-American actress known for her role as Bond girl Honey Rider in the first James Bond film, Dr. No, for which she also won a Golden Globe Award, "Osteoporosis has not stopped me, and it shouldn't stop your either." We encourage all women over 30 to

1. Go see the doctor
2. Get your bone health check (bone density test)
3. Adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes light exercise, sunshine and diet rich in green leafy vegetables, soy, whole grains and yoghurt
4. Quit smoking and alcohol
5. Add calcium supplements

Be aware. Be free.