Women over the age of 65 are being reminded to make bone health their priority this November.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to a decrease in bone mass and density, causing bones to become fragile and break easily.

Known as the ‘Silent Disease’ as there is often a lack of signs or symptoms, osteoporosis affects more than 300,000 people in Ireland.

Women over 65 are most at risk, partly due to the secondary effects of menopause which can result in significant bone loss.

As Ireland’s population continues to age, the importance of raising awareness around osteoporosis prevention and early detection has never been greater.

'Unbreakable'

All this month, the ‘Unbreakable’ campaign is celebrating the indomitable spirit of women aged 65 and over.

Many of these women have endured the challenges of life, and emerged resilient, developing remarkable inner strength and determination.

While their spirits may be unbreakable, however, their physical frames can become more fragile over time.

Pharmacist and Content Creator Jess Redden with her mum Linda Redden. Image: PhotocallIreland

Ambassadors Jess Redden, Linda Redden, Karl Henry and Orla Walsh are breaking the silence on osteoporosis – and calling on people all over Ireland to talk to the women in their lives over the age of 65 and encourage them to take control of their health by speaking to their GP or healthcare professional and finding out their bone health status.

Pharmacist and Content Creator Jess Redden said it wasn’t until her own mother broke her arm that her family began to speak about osteoporosis and the importance of bone health.

‘My mum Linda is always looking out for my family and demonstrates an unbreakable spirit that is truly awe-inspiring,” she said.

“Her confidence, wisdom, and zest for life sets a shining example for our family.

“When Mum broke her arm last year, it was a wakeup call for the whole family that, while her spirit may be unbreakable, her bones are not.”

In some cases, osteoporosis can be preventable, with lifestyle factors like diet and exercise influencing how healthy your bones are.

Orla Walsh

Dietician Orla Walsh said diet “plays a major role” in ensuring healthy bones.

“It’s important to feed your bones enough of the nutrients they need and to do it consistently,” she said.

“A balanced diet, rich in calcium, vitamin D and protein is crucial for maintaining strong bones, especially as we age.

“Simple changes like including more dairy products, green leafy vegetables, and fortified foods can make a huge difference.

“It is important for people to know that a change in diet alone is not recommended to treat bone loss.”

Osteoporosis

With the number of osteoporotic fractures in Ireland expected to increase from 32,000 to 51,000 over the next ten years, it has never been more important to talk to your loved ones about their bone health.

To learn how you can take that first step towards being proactive about your bone health, contact your GP.

You can also book a low-dose X-ray or 'DXA scan' to see how dense or strong your bones are.

References have been taken from irishosteoporosis.ie and the International Osteoporosis Foundation SCOPE 2021 Ireland report.

IRL-NP-1024-80015, November 2024