Influential national journalist and writer Polly Toynbee has officially opened Lewes Victoria Hospital's new £50,000 osteoporosis scanner (Friday 6 November).
Picture 1. Alice Webster (Head of Adult Services). David Jones (Intermediate Care Manager - West). Polly, Jane McKenzie Bennett (Radiography Lead) Nick Darby (Chairman of the League of Friends).
Picture 2. Polly and Chairman of the League of Friends Nick Darby
Osteoperosis is a disease which can reduce bone density and lead to an increased risk of breaks or fractures.
The new scanner will help detect problems as early as possible.
Polly, a columnist for The Guardian newspaper since 1998, is helping encourage local people who think they may be at risk of having the disease to discuss the problem with their GP.
She says,
"Although I understand the disease is most commonly linked to post menopausal women, men and younger women and children can also be affected. Osteoporosis can cause bones to break after a minor bump or fall and commonly affects the wrist, hip and spine, although other parts of the body can be affected. Many people's lives are changed forever after a fall like that, but if the problem is picked up early it can be prevented".
Osteoporosis can affect people using some kinds of medication, those with poor diets, people who smoke, drink too much alcohol, people with eating disorders and in some cases is genetic.
You can help to maintain healthy bones by enjoying a well balanced diet with enough calcium rich foods, taking regular exercise, avoiding smoking and drinking sensibly.
If the problem is picked up early it can also be helped with medication, physiotherapy and if appropriate referral to a falls prevention service.
Until now the only bone densitometry facilities have been at Eastbourne and Hove but the hard-working League of Friends at Lewes Victoria have raised funds to buy and install a new scanner at the hospital as well.
Referrals can be made through GPs or specialists.
