World Osteoporosis Day

20th October 2007 World Osteoporosis Day falls on October 20, 2007. The initiative, carrying the theme, ’Beat the Break: Know and reduce your osteoporosis risks’ is an exercise in establishing the importance of bone health for all ages.

Significantly, the campaign underway all through the year will create awareness about osteoporosis, its risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. What will stand out in the campaign is the stress on prevention of osteoporosis, which is well within our reach.

The goal of this awareness programme is to help people of all ages to ascertain their risk of osteoporosis and take steps to mitigate the impact of the disease.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation along with its integrated network all around the world will launch a new kit called as the ‘One minute Risk Test’ which will enable individuals to evaluate their osteoporosis risks.

‘Bone’ Voyage

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition of the bones caused by a gradual loss of bone density. Loss of vital minerals, especially calcium from the bones causes them to become porous, fragile and brittle. This makes the bones vulnerable to fractures, especially at the wrist, spine and hip. The disease is more pronounced in both men and women as they age.

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Bone loss creeps in silently, gradually and painlessly; there are no tell tale symptoms of advancing osteoporosis, also called a ‘silent disease’. Many patients are diagnosed with the condition after they suffer a fracture. This makes it important to create sufficient awareness of the disease in order to take necessary preventive steps.

Bone up on Facts

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Adults have about 206 rigid bones in their bodies. The bones are made up of calcium, phosphorous, sodium and other minerals, vitamins and the protein, collagen. Calcium is stored in the bones and is released to the other body parts according to the need. As children grow, bones become strong due to accumulation of bone mass. This process takes place till about 30 years of age.

Nearly 71% of the osteoporosis fractures occur in women. Genetically, women are born with a bone mass less than that of men. After menopause, the loss of bone mass is accentuated, caused by a reduction in the estrogen level. That is why osteoporosis is more common in women than men. Notwithstanding, nearly one in 3 women and one in 5 men over the age of 50 are grappling with the effects of bone loss.

More than 26 million people in India alone are battling osteoporosis; these numbers are expected to go up to 36 million by 2013. Further, as per forecasts, Asia will account for more than 50% of hip fractures in the world by 2050. An estimated 44 million people in the United States suffer the condition.

Worse, almost 24% of patients above 50 years of age who suffer a hip fracture do not live beyond a year.

Getting Close to the Bone – Risks

• Heredity and genes have a significant role in the development of osteoporosis.
• Women who have undergone hysterectomy, or who have reached premature menopause carry the risk of osteoporosis.
• Improper diet during the growing up years especially if calcium intake has been insufficient below the recommended daily allowance, then the risk is pronounced.

• Smoking and alcohol adversely affects the bones.
• Sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of osteoporosis.
• Type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hyper thyroidism, and inadequate estrogen increases the risk of osteoporosis.

Diagnosis

Experts conduct a medical examination, comprising a thorough physical examination, followed by detailed X rays of the skeletal system. A bone densitometry test which is a bone density scan is the final word in detecting the condition.

Treatment of Osteoporosis

The treatment is multi-pronged involving a combination of diet, exercise and medication.
• Diet is spruced up to include more protein and vitamins.
• Calcium and vitamin D supplements are advised.
• Post menopausal women are advised estrogen replacement therapy.
• Weight bearing exercise is recommended on a regular basis.

Prevention of Osteoporosis

Did you know that most of the bone mass is built up before 30 years of age?

Food rich in calcium and Vitamin D along with regular weight bearing exercise in the formative years, especially during the adolescent years can prevent osteoporosis.

Further, maintaining bone mass after one has crossed 30 years of age is crucial to arrest the onset of osteoporosis.

• Consumption of Vitamin D and Calcium is important to reduce the loss of bone mass.
• Lifestyle modification -cutting down alcohol and smoking and indulging in physical exercise - walking, jogging, and aerobic exercises can prevent osteoporosis.
• Recommended Daily Allowance of Calcium for:
        • Adolescent boy and girl – 1300 mg of calcium
        • Ages19-50 – 1000 mg per day
        • Above 50 (men and women) – 1200 mg

The saving grace comes in the form of good nutrition during the growing up years, which can mitigate the extent of bone loss in the later years. The importance of exercise and lifestyle in allaying this debilitating condition of osteoporosis cannot be overemphasized.

Source-Medindia