LIVING WELL WITH OSTEOPOROSIS
Managing osteoporosis to live a full and active life
You Are Not Alone
It is common to feel anxious about your health or lifestyle when diagnosed with osteoporosis – feelings of loneliness, depression and helplessness are all very common. At Osteoporosis Canada, we are here to help you. We provide many services and resources for Canadians living with osteoporosis, including free publications, a bilingual toll-free information line, educational programs and referrals to self-help groups and community resources.
Despite the natural concern that can come with an osteoporosis diagnosis, it’s important to think about what you can do, and remember that people with osteoporosis adjust and go on to live full, active lives. Today, with the help of medications and appropriate lifestyle changes, individuals can reduce their risk of fracture and in some cases, even improve bone mass.
If you feel you need additional support or mental health resources, please contact the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health or your local mental health organization.
If you’ve been recently diagnosed, here are some strategies to help you on your journey
Educate yourself
Learn about your disease and understand the important steps you can take to live well with it. Osteoporosis Canada operates a toll-free information line, offering trained volunteers who can discuss your concerns, send appropriate information and refer you to local resources or support group near you where available.
Join COPN
Consider joining COPN, the Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network. OC’s patient population is strong and COPN connects individuals affected by osteoporosis, communicating information about how to live well with the disease and advocates for comprehensive access to diagnosis, treatment and care.
Talk with your doctor
After learning more about your disease, speak with your doctor to review your treatment options and lifestyle changes, and discuss what will work best for you and your lifestyle. Make sure to bring a list of questions and a notebook to make sure you leave feeling comfortable and educated about your disease and options.
Get Support
Osteoporosis Canada, in partnership with dedicated volunteers and a network of local groups across Canada, is committed to providing the highest quality services, education and research to help Canadians take care of their bone health.
Programs
Living with or caring for a loved one who has osteoporosis can leave you feeling anxious and with many questions. Osteoporosis Canada is here to help you live well with osteoporosis by providing evidence-based information, resources, tools and strategies to help manage the disease and support programs.
COPN – Our Patient Network
COPN, the Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network, is the patient arm of Osteoporosis Canada, a national network of people living with osteoporosis.
My Story
Sharing stories helps raise aware, challenges stereotypes and disease myths and can help inspire and change the way people thing about bone health. Osteoporosis impacts the daily lives of millions of Canadians. Share your story about how this disease affects you and your family. Your share can help and provide hope to others.
Broken Bones
A broken bone is called a fracture and may be a warning sign of osteoporosis. If you have already had a fracture, you may be at high risk for another fracture. A spine or hip fracture puts you at very high risk for another fracture.
Managing Pain
Pain is the body’s natural response when a bone breaks. Both the fracture and any injuries to the body tissue near the fracture site can produce pain.
After The Fracture
If you have recently broken a bone, the information that follows will help you to understand the pain that you are experiencing and the stages of healing that you will go through.