Bone healthIndia, with 1.3 billion people, is the second most populated country in the world, with approximately 10 per cent of the population (more than 120 million) over 50 years of age. It is estimated that more than50 million people in India are either osteoporotic or have low bone mass. Bones in the hip, spine, and wrist are especially prone to fragility fractures - fractures that would not have occurred in a younger person with stronger bones..Studies indicate that osteoporosis (porous, brittle bones) and osteopenia (a more moderate decline in bone mass that occurs in osteoporosis) may surface at a relatively younger age in Indian population. A study in Delhi estimated the prevalence of osteoporosis as 24.6 per cent in men and 42.5 per cent in women above 50 years of age. Women in addition to age-related bone loss also experience menopausal bone loss.The term osteomalacia refers to a marked softening of one's bones, most often caused by severe vitamin D deficiency. The softened bones of children and young adults with osteomalacia can lead to bowing during growth, especially in weight-bearing bones of the legs.Osteomalacia in older adults can lead to fractures. Worldwide, it is estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men above the age of 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures. OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a major cause of disability in senior citizens and can seriously compromise their quality of life. It is a significant contributor to hip fractures. However, there is a silver lining: it's never too late to start thinking about preventing osteoporosis or even managing osteoporosis. Despite the staggering global figures of more than 200 million people suffering from this potentially disabling form of bone disease, many misconceptions prevent people from seeking the treatment or risk-reduction strategies they need. I enlist and explain here a few common assumptions.1. Men don't get osteoporosisIt's a Myth. Although osteoporosis is five times more common in women, 20 to25 per cent of men will experience a bone fracture because of osteoporosis or reduced bone mass during their lives. Often men aren't educated about or evaluated for this condition, which usually appears latherin life for theme typically develop osteoporosis in their late fifties. Women may develop it earlier- in the fourth decade of their life because of the effects of menopause (lack of estrogen). 2. You may never notice symptomsIt's a Fact. Osteoporosis can be a silent disease. Pain or other symptoms may be lacking. To further compound the matters, even a fracture may be painless. A broken leg or hip will not be missed, but pathological vertebral fractures can happen over time with the patient experiencing very little or vague discomfort.The silent nature of this disease is a compelling reason for you to talk to a doctor about risk factors and whether you would benefit from a DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan - a simple non-invasive test that measures bone density.3. Everyone gets osteoporosis as they ageIt's a Myth. Osteoporosis is a complex multifactorial disease. Though most people will lose bone mass over time, that doesn't necessarily mean all of them to end up developing osteoporosis.Bone mass peaks at about age 25 or 30 and start to drop at about age 40. As we age, bone calcium and other minerals decrease. Bones look like a honeycomb and the holes become bigger as the bone is lost other important contributing factors include genetics and family history, a lack of vitamin D, dietary deficiency of calcium, high caffeine intake, smoking, a lack of exercise, and even medications such as more bone and preserve it for future life..4. Forget about osteoporosis as you1re youngIt's a Myth. A mix of regular exercise and balanced, healthy nutrition habits at any age will help you reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis in later years. Exercise helps you preserve as much bone tissue as you would stand to lose if you were a couch potato! Both calcium and vitamin D plays a major role in bone health. If you're not getting enough in your diet or through sunlight, ask a doctor about supplementation. At a young age, it is a lot easier to build more bone and preserve it for future life. 5. Osteoporosis isn1t seriousIt's a costly Myth. People feel that a broken bone heals almost always and easily, so those used to treat acid reflux and prostate cancer. But please remember this process can be prevented or delayed by building strong bones right from early childhood. Your bones will be sturdy from an early age if you ensure intake of plenty of calcium and vitamin D, do weight-bearing exercises, and avoid excess alcohol and smoking.
Bone healthIndia, with 1.3 billion people, is the second most populated country in the world, with approximately 10 per cent of the population (more than 120 million) over 50 years of age. It is estimated that more than50 million people in India are either osteoporotic or have low bone mass. Bones in the hip, spine, and wrist are especially prone to fragility fractures - fractures that would not have occurred in a younger person with stronger bones..Studies indicate that osteoporosis (porous, brittle bones) and osteopenia (a more moderate decline in bone mass that occurs in osteoporosis) may surface at a relatively younger age in Indian population. A study in Delhi estimated the prevalence of osteoporosis as 24.6 per cent in men and 42.5 per cent in women above 50 years of age. Women in addition to age-related bone loss also experience menopausal bone loss.The term osteomalacia refers to a marked softening of one's bones, most often caused by severe vitamin D deficiency. The softened bones of children and young adults with osteomalacia can lead to bowing during growth, especially in weight-bearing bones of the legs.Osteomalacia in older adults can lead to fractures. Worldwide, it is estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men above the age of 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures. OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a major cause of disability in senior citizens and can seriously compromise their quality of life. It is a significant contributor to hip fractures. However, there is a silver lining: it's never too late to start thinking about preventing osteoporosis or even managing osteoporosis. Despite the staggering global figures of more than 200 million people suffering from this potentially disabling form of bone disease, many misconceptions prevent people from seeking the treatment or risk-reduction strategies they need. I enlist and explain here a few common assumptions.1. Men don't get osteoporosisIt's a Myth. Although osteoporosis is five times more common in women, 20 to25 per cent of men will experience a bone fracture because of osteoporosis or reduced bone mass during their lives. Often men aren't educated about or evaluated for this condition, which usually appears latherin life for theme typically develop osteoporosis in their late fifties. Women may develop it earlier- in the fourth decade of their life because of the effects of menopause (lack of estrogen). 2. You may never notice symptomsIt's a Fact. Osteoporosis can be a silent disease. Pain or other symptoms may be lacking. To further compound the matters, even a fracture may be painless. A broken leg or hip will not be missed, but pathological vertebral fractures can happen over time with the patient experiencing very little or vague discomfort.The silent nature of this disease is a compelling reason for you to talk to a doctor about risk factors and whether you would benefit from a DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan - a simple non-invasive test that measures bone density.3. Everyone gets osteoporosis as they ageIt's a Myth. Osteoporosis is a complex multifactorial disease. Though most people will lose bone mass over time, that doesn't necessarily mean all of them to end up developing osteoporosis.Bone mass peaks at about age 25 or 30 and start to drop at about age 40. As we age, bone calcium and other minerals decrease. Bones look like a honeycomb and the holes become bigger as the bone is lost other important contributing factors include genetics and family history, a lack of vitamin D, dietary deficiency of calcium, high caffeine intake, smoking, a lack of exercise, and even medications such as more bone and preserve it for future life..4. Forget about osteoporosis as you1re youngIt's a Myth. A mix of regular exercise and balanced, healthy nutrition habits at any age will help you reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis in later years. Exercise helps you preserve as much bone tissue as you would stand to lose if you were a couch potato! Both calcium and vitamin D plays a major role in bone health. If you're not getting enough in your diet or through sunlight, ask a doctor about supplementation. At a young age, it is a lot easier to build more bone and preserve it for future life. 5. Osteoporosis isn1t seriousIt's a costly Myth. People feel that a broken bone heals almost always and easily, so those used to treat acid reflux and prostate cancer. But please remember this process can be prevented or delayed by building strong bones right from early childhood. Your bones will be sturdy from an early age if you ensure intake of plenty of calcium and vitamin D, do weight-bearing exercises, and avoid excess alcohol and smoking.
