November is Osteoporosis Awareness Month and Osteoporosis Canada has done an unbelievable job focusing public attention upon the importance of building strong bones for life through awareness and education. Osteoporosis Awareness Month is a time we can come together to make bone health and osteoporosis a priority in the lives of all Canadians. Understanding this knowledge and taking preventative action to combat the deterioration of bones is crucial to ensuring a long and vibrant life!
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is often known as “the silent thief” because bone loss occurs without symptoms. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture (broken bones), particularly of the hip, spine, wrist and shoulder.
Why exercise is important for healthy bones
While conducting a healthy and active lifestyle is imperative for everyone no matter the age level – people with osteoporosis are more at risk to slip and fall accidents.
- Works to prevent slip & fall accidents: Performing challenging balance exercises can improve balance and coordination, which helps prevent falls, and this in turn may prevent fractures.
- Strengthens the spine: Forces, or “loads,” on the vertebrae that are greater than they can withstand, often cause spine fractures. Exercises that target the muscles that extend your back can help improve posture, reducing the risk of spine fractures.
Osteoporosis is a potentially crippling disease characterized by low bone mass (density) and deterioration of bone tissue. The condition leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture – most often at the spine, wrist or hip. Osteoporosis does not develop overnight – you can lose bone mass steadily for many years without experiencing any symptoms or signs of the disease until a bone fractures. Early detection of bone loss, therefore, is critical in preventing osteoporotic fractures. Learn more about how you can assess your risk of osteoporosis – so that you may take preventive action. Assessing your risk and testing for bone loss are the keys to diagnosing osteoporosis.
If you have been injured because of a slip and fall caused by the property’s condition, you may be able to receive compensation from the property owner. Whether you are visiting a home, a store or a government building, laws outline what the owners are liable for, which is known as occupier’s liability. The lawyers at Harris Law have years of experience with occupier’s liability claims, and they know the complexities these claims entail.
