Bone of contemplation

Yesterday was the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day. Although there is some awareness about this disease, the majority of the population seems to be unaware of this, although it is extremely common among women and the elderly. We asked experts what makes osteoporosis so prevalent and how to protect it …

Not rare in men

Osteoporosis and associated fractures are common in India. Although it is more common in women, especially after menopause, it is not uncommon in men. Dr. Dipti Patel, a rheumatology consultant at Wockhardt Hospital, sees at least 10 cases a week and six to seven cases a week of postmenopausal osteoporosis. "The exact prevalence in India is not known," she says, "but given our population, we can estimate that about 46 million women have osteoporosis. Globally, it is estimated that one in three women over the age of 50 will have osteoporotic fractures, as well as one in five men. This disease is also transmitted in families, probably because of hereditary factors that affect bone development.

Senile osteoporosis

This disease is of two types, senile and postmenopausal. Senile osteoporosis usually occurs in both sexes in the elderly group of 60 years and older. "The senile osteoporosis is due to a lack of mobility. Here, bone density is reduced because of bone aging and vitamin D3 deficiency. Calcium is an essential adjunct to treatment, not the main treatment, "says Dr. Rakesh Nair, a knee replacement surgeon at Zen Multispeciality Hospital.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis

Women tend to suffer more often and more severely than men. This is due to hormonal factors, multiple pregnancies, prolonged breastfeeding and inadequate nutrition. One in two menopausal women are at risk of osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime, said Dr. Manan Gujarathi, an orthopedic surgeon at SRV Mamata Hospital, adding that, just like diabetes and high blood pressure, it is become an epidemic.

L & # 39; osteopenia

Ninety percent of Dr. Nair's osteoporosis patients are women with this condition after menopause. This happens after midlife, but he also meets patients in their thirties. "The majority of them will have elements of osteopenia – a condition in which the bones are weaker than normal but have not disappeared to the point of breaking easily, which is the hallmark of the disease. "Osteoporosis," he said, adding that every woman, regardless of her prior activity levels before menopause is prone to osteoporosis depending on the violence of menopause.

Factors to blame

Orthopedic surgeons are increasingly facing fractures in people aged 30 to 40 who have had a small fall, said Dr. Gujarathi. Lack of exercise, vitamin deficiencies, excessive caffeine, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, immunodeficiency syndromes, unhealthy diet are other factors of extremely common risk.

Diagnostic

Generally, the diagnosis of osteoporosis is a combination of antecedents, clinical control and tests. According to Dr. Gujarathi, simple screening tests include an estimate of bone mineral density by ultrasound, often done in awareness camps. An additional blood test may optionally include a blood test to eliminate hypovitaminosis (vitamin deficiency disease), endocrine disorders and diabetes, X-rays and DEXA (dual X-ray absorptiometry). energy). Scan to quantify the disease, assess risk and formulate a treatment strategy.

According to Dr. Nair, the DEXA test should ideally be performed by all women under 40 and for men around 60 years of age. This test is recommended for young people in their thirties who have a thyroid problem or a hormonal problem.