Many people who are at risk of falling also have osteoporosis, a chronic condition that weakens bones and makes fractures more likely in the event of a fall. In young people, bone formation exceeds bone resorption (the breakdown and weakening of bones), but by the time someone is in their 30s, there is a gradual loss of bone mass. Osteoporosis is therefore usually an age-related disease. Around two per cent of people aged 50 have osteoporosis. This increases to 25 per cent in people aged 80. The condition can affect men and women, but women are at greater risk because the decrease in oestrogen production after the menopause accelerates bone loss.

The following groups of people are more prone to developing osteoporosis: 

• All women aged 65 years and over, and all men aged 75 years and over
• Younger men and women with major risk factors, such as taking oral steroid medication, smoking, high alcohol intake, premature menopause.

Some people with osteoporosis are considered to have a high enough risk of having a fracture to benefit from being prescribed bone-strengthening drugs. Treatment is usually with alendronate or risedronate, which belong to a group of drugs called the bisphosphonates. These can be complicated to take. For example, some are taken weekly, which might be difficult to remember, and they can cause gastric side effects, so need to be taken in a particular way to avoid irritation to the oesophagus (food pipe) after swallowing. This means taking them with plenty of water, and remaining upright for at least 30 minutes afterwards.