Go Orange Day support for osteoporosis awareness

STAFF at Yeovil District Hospital raised awareness of osteoporosis on Go Orange Day by  wearing something orange to help raise awareness.

Visitors and staff were also given the opportunity to purchase homemade cakes and orange day ribbon badges from the local National Osteoporosis Support Group.

Orange Day Specialist Nurse, Clare Cockill, was on hand to do fracture risk assessments and give advice about osteoporosis, falls and bone health.  

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured, from left to right, are Cynthia Pitman, a patient who chose to have a bright orange plaster cast to support the day; Clare Cockill and supporters of the local National Osteoporosis Group Rita Poxon; Barbara Hill; Rosemary Palmer and Maggie Colgan.

An Osteoporosis and Bone Health education session will be held in YeovilDistrictHospital’s Academy on Tuesday, November 6, from 2pm to 4pm.

Osteoporosis and fracture liaison specialist nurse, Clare Cockill, will be running the session. She said: “It is important to identify osteoporosis or an increased risk of fracture early. There are good treatments available to reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures.

“If you are over 50 and have already had a fracture following a fall then you may be at increased risk of further fractures.

''You may also be at risk if you have a medical condition such as inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic liver or kidney disease, chronic obstructive airways disease, an overactive thyroid or if you need certain drugs such as prednisolone, anti-epileptics, oestrogen and testosterone lowering drugs.

“There are web-based tools to help assess fracture risk and GPs can carry out an on-line assessment to estimate the risk of fracture over the next 10 years. Those at risk may receive treatment for their bones and/or be referred to the Falls Service for exercise to reduce their risk of falling.”

The education session is aimed at those who are being treated for or, have been diagnosed with, osteoporosis and osteopenia. It will cover risk factors and risk assessment, bone density scan results, looking after your bones, preventing falls, a guide to treatment and monitoring with plenty of time to ask questions.

Tea and coffee will be provided by the local National Osteoporosis Support Group who a run a strength and balance exercise class every Wednesday between 2pm and 3pm at the Holy Trinity Community Church Hall in Lysander Road, Yeovil (£3 per class, Tel: 01935-822387 or 01935-881138 for further information).

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