Healthy Bones Week
Posted by Paul J Murray
on Aug 21, 2012
Our Guest speaker at Tuesday’s meeting was Verina Walsh speaking on the topic Osteoporosis Awareness. Verina was introduced by PP Ken Cook and reminded us that this is Healthy Bones Week. National Healthy Bones Week raises awareness of the important role calcium-rich foods, such as dairy, have in the development and maintenance of healthy bones and the prevention of osteoporosis later in life. The campaign educates Australians about the importance of developing and maintaining strong bones and encourages active steps towards a healthier bone mass through the consumption of a calcium-rich diet including dairy foods.
Verina is a registered nurse and has been involved with Osteoporosis Awareness for over 10 years. She informed the club that the statistics relating to Osteoporosis were staggering and that most people don't realize that they have Osteoporosis until they fall. In Australia 2.2 million people have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis. One in two women will have Osteoporosis. One in three men will have Osteoporosis.
There is a twenty five percent fatality rate after people have broken their hip. There is also a twenty five percent rate of people having to go into a nursing home after they have broken their hip. To try to prevent Osteoporosis the researchers look at many things, one of which is heredity and genetics, medical conditions where people have been on cortisone for over 3 months puts them at risk of having Osteoporosis. People who are vitamin D deficient are at risk of Osteoporosis. Excessive alcohol consumption puts people at risk of Osteoporosis.
Verina encourages exercise to help build bone density and to increase our calcium intake.
Pat Ingram gave a vote of thanks.
There is a twenty five percent fatality rate after people have broken their hip. There is also a twenty five percent rate of people having to go into a nursing home after they have broken their hip. To try to prevent Osteoporosis the researchers look at many things, one of which is heredity and genetics, medical conditions where people have been on cortisone for over 3 months puts them at risk of having Osteoporosis. People who are vitamin D deficient are at risk of Osteoporosis. Excessive alcohol consumption puts people at risk of Osteoporosis.
Verina encourages exercise to help build bone density and to increase our calcium intake.
Pat Ingram gave a vote of thanks.