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The Queen consort of England is not one to pour out in public. However, she has repeatedly spoken of her mother and the disease she suffered from, osteoporosis. A pathology against which she leads a fight today, to raise awareness among the general public.
Camilla Parker-Bowles’ mother, who died in 1994 at the age of 73, suffered years before her death from osteoporosis. A pathology that attacks the structure of the bone and causes increased fragility and fractures, at the slightest shock.
A commitment linked to the death of his mother
A year after her mother’s death, Camilla spoke about this experience at a charity event dedicated to improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis: “My mother died of this terrible disease. Having witnessed the misery and the pain it causes, I felt that I had to try to do something, to help those who suffer from this distress.“. Today, the Queen consort of England wants to raise awareness of this disease among the general public.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease mainly related to aging. It is characterized by a generalized and progressive decline in the amount of bone tissue and a deterioration of its internal structure.
Bone remodeling is rarefied and less efficient in osteoporosis, which prevents the uptake of minerals such as phosphorus and calcium. Result: the bones are more fragile, which increases the risk of fractures.
What are the early signs and symptoms of osteoporosis?
People with osteoporosis usually do not have any particular symptoms. The main symptom is rather a consequence of the pathology: it is mainly spontaneous fractures or after a light trauma, such as fractures of the wrist, the neck of the femur or even the vertebrae. There is no fever, weight loss or anorexia.
It is possible to observe the appearance of certain symptoms, witnesses of osteoporosis such as:
- A reduction in height of a few centimeters;
- Scoliosis;
- A curved back;
- A fracture that does not follow a violent trauma;
- Spinal pain.
Diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis
Diagnosis is made by X-ray and bone densitometry. Bone densitometry is a non-invasive, rapid and minimally irradiating examination that measures bone density and bone mineral content. The treatment of the disease is based on taking medication, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or bisphosphonates. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation may also be considered.
Finally, diet plays a role, as does prevention, through the practice of a sporting activity, stopping smoking and alcohol and finally avoiding prolonged bed rest.