Over 75s

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50.  The skeleton becomes so porous that the simplest knock or fall can break a bone, particularly in the wrist, spine and hip.  However, fractures are not an inevitable part of getting older and osteoporosis can be largely prevented and treated. 

As a preventative measure we would recommend that all over 75s take Calcovit, a calcium and vitamin D supplement taken once a day as an orange flavoured drink.

Women
Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than men.  They have smaller bones which are less dense and they experience the menopause which greatly accelerates bone loss over several years.

Risk Factors for Women

• Early menopause (before the age of 45)  
• Early hysterectomy (before the age of 45) especially if both ovaries are removed, missing periods for six months or more (excluding pregnancy) as a result of over exercising or excessive dieting.

Men
Men generally have bigger, denser bones than women and do not undergo the rapid bone loss that women experience around the menopause.  Osteoporosis in men is often the result of another health problem.  Low levels of the male hormone testosterone can lead to osteoporosis due to a problem with the testes themselves or the pituitary gland hormone levels.  There may be no obvious signs or symptoms of low testosterone levels but some men do find they need to shave less regularly, have a low sex drive and feel excessively tired.

Risk Factors for Men

• Low levels of testosterone

Warning Signs 
If you have already broken a bone after a minor bump or fall you may already have osteoporosis.  Other warning signs include height loss and curvature of the spine.  If you have one of these warning signs you may want to discuss your risk with the doctor.

Tips 
Take regular, weight bearing exercise, walking briskly is good, if you smoke try to give up, watch your alcohol intake.

Annual Flu Vaccinations

We recommend that you have one every year. The clinics are usually run during the months of October and November. We start taking bookings in September. We advertise this in our waiting room, and on our website.  We will also send a written invitation or we will text you if we have your mobile number and consent. 

Further information is available on the NHS website

Pneumovac 

You only need to have this once.

If you have not had one and would like to please make an appointment with one of the Practice Nurses.