Treasure ur Bones

Osteoporosis is a condition that is characterized by a decrease in the density of bones that results in fragile bones. You! takes a look...

Every second woman and one out of six men in the world suffer from osteoporosis which is also known as a silent killer. Health experts say that there are 6.7 million osteoporosis patients in the country while the number could increase to 7.1 million in the coming year. According to a report of Pakistan Orthopedic Association, Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Pakistan and Osteoporosis and Menopause Society, about 80 per cent of those with osteoporosis are women past menopause.

 What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle and cause higher risk of fractures. It occurs when bones lose calcium more quickly than the body can replace them, leading to a loss of bone thickness (bone mass or density). As a result, bones become thinner and less dense, so that even a minor bump or an accident can cause serious fractures. The hip, spine, wrists, ribs, pelvis and upper arm are the most common areas of bone fractures that occur due to osteoporosis.   

Karachi-based Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Rehana Shah says that bones in a woman's body are constantly rebuilding themselves. As a woman starts ageing, she begins to lose more bone cells than her body can make. "Two essential minerals for normal bone formation are calcium and phosphate. And calcium is an important component that gives bone its strength. Throughout youth, the body uses these minerals to produce bones. If calcium intake is insufficient or if the body does not absorb enough calcium from the diet, bone production and bone tissue may suffer. Thus, the bones become weaker and result in breaking easily," she informs.

 Symptoms of osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis can be present without any indication for decades because this disease doesn't show any signs until the bone fractures or breaks. The symptom associated with fractures due to osteoporosis (osteoporotic fractures) usually is chronic pain. 

Osteoporotic fractures can lead to changes in posture, muscle weakness and loss of height. Fractures of the spine (vertebra) can cause severe 'band-like' pain that radiates from the back to the sides of the body. Over the years, repeated spinal fractures can lead to chronic lower back pain as well as loss of height or curving of the spine due to collapse of the vertebrae. The collapse gives a hunched-back appearance of the upper back and is commonly seen in elderly women.

Osteoporosis Chart

The fracture cascade:

About 50 per cent of people with one fracture due to osteoporosis will have another. The risk of future fractures rises with each new fracture, the 'cascade effect'. This means that women who have suffered a fracture in their spine are over 4 times more likely to have another fracture within the next year, compared to women who have never had an osteoporotic fracture. People who have had two or more osteoporotic fractures are up to 9 times more likely to have another fracture compared to someone who has not had one.

Two thirds of fractures of the spine are not identified or treated, even though they all cause pain and some disability. Often people believe that the symptoms of spine fracture - back pain, height loss or rounding of the spine - are just due to 'old age'. However, to prevent the fracture cascade, it is essential that osteoporotic fractures are identified and treated as quickly as possible.

Prevention:

Low intake of calcium during childhood predicts one's chances of developing osteoporosis later in life. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defence against this disease. It is advised to focus on diet that is highly rich in calcium and vitamin D. The best source of Vitamin D is the sun which is very essential for stronger bones. Some rich sources of calcium include milk, yoghurt, cheese, oats etc.

What are the risk factors and causes of osteoporosis?

The following are the factors that will increase the risk of developing osteoporosis:

* Female gender

* Thin and small body frame

* Family history of osteoporosis (for example, having a mother with an osteoporotic hip fracture doubles your risk of hip fracture)

* Personal history of fracture as an adult

* Lack of exercise

* Diet low in calcium

* Poor nutrition and poor general health

* Mal-absorption (nutrients are not properly absorbed from the gastrointestinal system)

* Low levels of oestrogen in women (such as, after menopause oestrogen produced decreases greatly or early surgical removal of both ovaries accelerates the process of bone loss)

* When vitamin D is lacking or the body cannot absorb adequate amounts of calcium from the diet.

One Healthy and useful Fruit for Bones