Two ways that osteoporosis sufferers can manage their condition

Osteoporosis is a medical condition which results in a loss of bone density. People who suffer from this disease usually have extremely brittle bones which can break very easily. Here are two ways that those who have osteoporosis can manage their condition.

Take action to prevent falls

If someone who has osteoporosis falls over, they will be much more likely to break a bone than a person who does not suffer from this condition.

They are also far more likely to experience a very severe fracture; for example, whilst a healthy person who falls might only sustain a hairline fracture, a person with osteoporosis, who falls in the same manner, could end up with a comminuted fracture (this is where the bone shatters into multiple fragments). As such, it is absolutely vital for those with this condition to take action to minimise their risk of falling.

There are several ways to do this. Firstly, sufferers should make sure that the floors of their homes are free from any obstructions, such as electrical cables, shoes and rugs, which could cause them to trip. Secondly, they should always opt for high-traction footwear that will minimise their chances of slipping when they walk on smooth or wet surfaces. Thirdly, any sufferers who are long or short-sighted should have their eyes tested regularly and should update their prescriptions where necessary. This can reduce the risk of them failing to see and subsequently tripping over objects on the floor.

Go for physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can be enormously helpful for people who have osteoporosis. The weight-bearing exercises that are carried out during a typical physiotherapy session can help those with this condition to strengthen their bones and thus slow down the rate at which their bone density levels drop.

A physiotherapist can also teach patients specific exercises to improve their balance and mobility; this, in turn, can help osteoporosis sufferers to reduce their risk of falling over and breaking a bone. Additionally, a physiotherapist can demonstrate ways for a person with this condition to carry out high-risk physical activities (that is, activities which could easily result in a broken bone) in a safe manner.

Physiotherapy can also be helpful for osteoporosis sufferers who have sustained fractures. The massage techniques, stretches and exercises that are carried out during a session can help to reduce a person's pain levels and increase the speed with which they recover from their injury.

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