How Nicholas shot down bone disease

TOP GUN Nicholas Flood suffers from osteoporosis — a condition that was fortunately detected and reversed before it did any long-term damage to him.

The marksman, who won the European Silhouette Shooting Championships in Hungary last July, made history by becoming the first sharp shooter to win a gold medal in all four rifle events.

Osteoporosis is a preventable bone disease but 38-year-old Nicholas, from Stepaside, Co Dublin, was unaware he had developed it as a result of his poor diet and punishing training regime.

Yesterday was World Osteoporosis Day to underline the importance of diet and exercise, both in preventing and managing the disease.

Nicholas believes he was lucky because his condition was quickly spotted and diagnosed using a bone density-measuring machine that he believes should be available to all medical cardholders.

Two years ago the sportsman went to Moira O’Brien, professor of anatomy at Trinity College Dublin, complaining of back pain.

The professor, who is also chairperson of the Irish Osteoporosis Society, carried out a bone density scan that revealed Nicholas had very bad osteoporosis in his lower vertebrae.

Fortunately, a new diet and exercise programme has successfully reversed the condition after about a year.

Nicholas went on to set a new European record at the European Silhouette Championships in Finland where he also took three silver medals.

Professor O’Brien said osteoporosis affected all age groups and both sexes, but studies showed one in two women would suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture after the age of 50.

She is particularly concerned most of the 37 bone density measuring machines in Ireland are only available to private patients. Five years ago the EU recommended that more machines should be purchased and made available to medical cardholders.

More information is available on the Irish Osteoporosis Society’s website at www.irishosteoporosis.ie.