Osteoporosis has been recognised as
the third most common disease prevalent in India by WHO (World Health
Organization). One in three women and one in five men above 50 years of age
around the world carry the chances of being affected by osteoporosis. It
weakens bones and causes fractures which can result in severe disability.
It is the third most common disease after hypertension and diabetes in the
elderly population.
Nuclear medicine
consultant Dr Mythri Shankar who is founder, Osteoporosis Foundation India
says, “Osteoporosis can be easily detected using a DEXA bone scan which checks
the density/strength of the bone. In an attempt to improve bone health, and
create public awareness about this silent disease, Sagar Apollo Hospital,
Bangalore, has recently introduced this novel technology and is making it
available to patients at risk at a reduced cost.”
Osteoporotic fractures
lower a patient’s quality of life. The estimated national direct expenditures
(hospitals and nursing homes) for osteoporotic hip fractures are very high, and
the cost is rising.
People may not know that
they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain,
bump or fall causes a fracture or a vertebra to collapse. Collapsed vertebrae
may initially be felt or seen in the form of severe back pain, loss of height,
or spinal deformities such as kyphosis or stooped posture.
Risk Factors: Certain
people are more likely to develop osteoporosis than others. Factors that
increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis and fractures are called
“risk factors”. These risk factors include:
● Personal history of
fracture after the age of 50
● Low bone mass
● Being female
● Being thin and/or
having a small frame
● Advanced age
● A family history of
osteoporosis
● Estrogen deficiency as
a result of menopause, especially early or surgically induced
● Abnormal absence of
menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
● Anorexia nervosa
● Low lifetime calcium
intake
● Vitamin D deficiency
● Use of certain
medications (corticosteroids, chemotherapy, anticonvulsants and others)
● Presence of certain
chronic medical conditions
● Low testosterone
levels in men
● An inactive lifestyle
● Smoking and alcohol
A Bone Mineral Density
exam or DEXA scan is considered the gold standard in diagnosing osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to
break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress
painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones occur typically in the hip,
spine and wrist. Hip and spine fractures can be very severe and debilitating.
Millions of normal
appearing patients are at risk. While women are four times more likely than men
to develop the disease, men also suffer from osteoporosis. For these reasons,
accurate osteoporosis screening is crucial for fighting this disease.
DEXA scan’s are an
important tool for early diagnosis of osteoporosis and in many cases recognise
the disease before the symptoms occur.
Although there is no
cure for osteoporosis, the following medications are approved for
postmenopausal women. It includes Bisphosphonates and Estrogen/Hormone Therapy.
Answer a few questions
and take care of your bones
1. Age over 55 yrs (men
and women)
2. Post menopausal women
(not on estrogen)
3. If age under 55
4. Smoking
5. Alcohol intake
6. Family history of
fractures
7. Diabetes and/or other
diseases of the liver, kidney, thyroid
8. Medications like
Dilantin (for seizures), Steroids (for asthma, arthritis etc.), Diuretics
9. Lost height more than
one inch
If you answer “yes” to
any of these questions, it does not mean that you have osteoporosis, but you
may be at risk.
It is recommended that
you check with your doctor, who will advise whether further tests are necessary.
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