Lifestyle
If your doctor has diagnosed osteoporosis, your doctor will probably recommend:
- Important lifestyle changes
- Medication to stop further bone loss and prevent fractures
- Falls prevention measures (as falls can lead to breaks)
- Increasing your calcium intake through your daily diet or supplements
- Increasing the amount of exercise each week
- Quitting smoking
- Decreasing your alcohol intake
- Increasing your exposure to limited sunlight to correct any vitamin D deficiencies, or with supplementation
Lifestyle changes
Your doctor might also change or reduce some of your medications, as they may be a cause of osteoporosis. Corticosteroid medications eg. prednisolone, which is used to treat lots of other conditions such as asthma and arthritis, can cause osteoporosis and your may reduce the dose.
Most falls happen around the house, however here are some tips on how you can prevent any hazards happening in your home:
- Declutter rooms, make clear paths for walking and move obstacles such as furniture away from the paths.
- Improve uneven floor surfaces such as shag pile carpets or damaged lino floors.
- Make sure mats, rugs and carpet edges are lying flat or remove them.
- Remove electrical cords from walking areas.
- Avoid walking on slippery or wet surfaces.
- Make sure rooms are well lit.
- Take care getting in and out of bed go slowly and use a bedframe if needed.
- Install a handrail on at least one side of any stairs, baths, showers and toilets.
- Consider safety strips on edges of outdoor stairs.
- Be aware of pets when you are moving about.
Approved by Osteoporosis Australia Medical & Scientific Advisory Committee
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