Like most people, Anita (not her real name) did not know much about a particular condition until she was diagnosed with it. In her case, it was osteoporosis. With her bones being the way they are, she does everything she can to prevent a fall.

It is important for her to be careful on stairs, especially the last two steps as that’s where most people fall. She has installed bathrails in her home, which help support her when it comes to the wet and slippery bathroom floor.

Besides following her doctor’s advice, she has to be extremely cautious. She always makes sure it is well-lit and unobstructed where she walks. In addition to medication and supplements, she goes for an annual bone-density scan that uses low-dose x-rays, also known as a DXA scan.

Anita has no problem staying active. She has a treadmill at home, which is safe and easy to use. She teaches glass etching and glass art online, besides selling unique handcrafted items. As she conducts 12 glass-etching workshops a year, she is always keeping busy.

She shares that osteoporosis is called the “silent disease” because it usually does not show any symptoms and can remain undetected until one suffers a fracture or needs an x-ray.

Sometimes symptoms other than fractures present themselves, like back pain, decreased height and curvature of the spine, yet these only appear when the bones have already been compromised.

Osteoporosis occurs in more than half of people over the age of 50, of either gender, although post-menopausal women are four times more likely to develop it.

Women typically lose up to 20% of their bone mass five to seven years after menopause, which makes them more susceptible to the condition.

Advanced osteoporosis results in pain, deformity and a decreased ability to perform normal daily activities. The bones may become so brittle that even a sudden twist of the body or a small fall can cause a fracture.

Since people cannot feel their bones getting weaker, assessing the risk of osteoporosis is critical, and doctors can be alerted to begin treatment if low bone mass is detected.

The good news is that there are bone mineral-density tests that can detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs. The DXA scan is a painless method of diagnosing osteoporosis and determining the risk of fractures.

If you have risk factors such as early menopause, a sedentary lifestyle or a low calcium intake, or if you are a smoker, you should consider having a scan from age 50. Those without risk factors should begin screening at age 60 to 65.

Although there is no cure, treatment options for osteoporosis are increasing with modern knowledge. Hormone therapy or medications can reduce the rate of bone loss and strengthen them.

Over 70% of Malaysian women living with post-menopausal osteoporosis may be undiagnosed. The number of hip fractures is also expected to increase as people now have longer lifespans.

These statistics highlight the importance of early detection to slow the progression of osteoporosis or to prevent it entirely, Anita says, quoting figures from the Osteoporosis Awareness Society of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Building strong bones through diet and exercise is the best prevention, while getting enough calcium is critical for building bone tissue: human beings need 1,000mg per day until age 50, and 1,200mg thereafter. The best sources are low-fat dairy, leafy green vegetables, and fortified juices and cereals.

Vitamin D – which is included in calcium supplements – helps to build calcium, and can also be found in fortified foods and by sitting in the sunlight for 10 to 15 minutes each day.

Finally, Anita advises the older generation to get enough exercise. Like muscles, bones get stronger through resistance and weight bearing, so activities like walking, stationary cycling, and using free weights or resistance bands help build bone mass.

Exercise also improves balance and flexibility, which reduces the risk of falls. A simple 30-minute walk a day can do wonders for your health and bones.

TELEME Healing Life Stories is a collection of inspirational stories of how ordinary people triumph over their health conditions and recover to lead a healthier life after that. Feel free to email [email protected] to share your story.

Click here to read more health educational articles or download the app to chat with a health practitioner.