“I lost six inches in height, and none of my clothes fit me anymore. It’s hard to find clothes that look good when my back is so hunched,” a septuagenarian with a hunched back causing osteoporosis Says the woman.
While Indian Handicapped Association is celebrating Bone and Joint Day
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August 4 and the topic is “healthy aging with strong bones,” let us discuss some important factors related to it.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by low bone mineral density. 1 in 2 women and 1 in 8 men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture.
What will happen if not treated?
A trivial trauma can result in hip, vertebral, or wrist fractures. Hip and vertebral fractures can be fatal if left untreated. A walker or ken may be required to carry around all hip fracture patients.
The population at risk:
Post-menopausal women, old age, patients on steroids, smokers, alcoholics, lean individuals, individuals are living a sedentary lifestyle.
Fracture prevention is the critical efficacy endpoint for any patient in the medical management of osteoporosis. Enhancements of bone mass and improvement in bone quality are achieved by a combination of lifestyle modification, dietary supplementation with calcium and vitamin D, and pharmacologic treatment. This strategy is useful for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Lifestyle assessment is an essential component of comprehensive treatment for osteoporosis. In addition to encouraging smoking cessation and moderation of alcohol consumption, patients should also be advised about fall prevention and appropriate exercise training to reduce the risk of fractures further.
Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, cycling, jogging, and aerobics are recommended to increase bone density. Although swimming is an excellent cardio exercise, it is not recommended for osteoporotic patients as it is a non-contact exercise. It is well documented that calcium additives have no role in the management of osteoporosis unless combined with aerobic contact exercise. Patients may be encouraged to wear hip protectors, which effectively attenuates force from a fall and is associated with a $ 50% reduction in risk of hip fracture as well as improving patient confidence That they can survive the fracture if they collapse.
In short, a healthy lifestyle, a diet rich in vitamin D and calcium, adequate sunlight exposure, regular aerobic contact exercise and cessation of smoking and alcohol will go a long way in the management of osteoporosis.
The author is an Additional Professor in Orthopedics, Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram. The views expressed are his own.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are the author’s own and “THE THUS” does not endorse them in any way. Neither can “THE THUS” independently verify any claims made in the article. You should consult your physician before starting any weight loss or health management programme to determine if it is right for your needs.
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