World Osteoporosis Day is observed annually on 20 October, all across the globe. Osteoporosis Day is dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of metabolic bone disease and osteoporosis. Every year the day is followed by a specific theme and this year the theme is ‘LOVE YOUR BONES: Protect your future’.
What is World Osteoporosis Day?
Osteoporosis is referred to as thinning bones; it can result in painful fractures. Risk factors associated with osteoporosis include aging, being female, low body weight, low sex hormones or menopause, smoking, and some medications.
People with osteoporosis are at a high risk of fractures, or bone breaks while doing routine activities such as standing or walking. Osteoporosis generally affects the ribs, hips, and the bones in the wrists and spine.
The early stages of osteoporosis don’t cause any symptoms or warning signs. In most cases, people with osteoporosis don’t know they have the condition until they have a fracture. Receding gums, weakened grip strength, weak and brittle nails,s and Pain in joints.
This test called bone densitometry, or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is used to detect osteoporosis. It uses X-rays to measure the density of the bones in your wrists, hips, or spine. These are the three areas most at risk of osteoporosis.
Facts on Osteoporosis:
- Osteoporosis is the hidden, underlying cause of painful, debilitating and life-threatening fractures
- The most common of osteoporotic fractures are spine (vertebral) fractures, a major cause of pain, disability and loss of quality of life
- Up to 70% of spine fractures remain undiagnosed, leaving sufferers unprotected against the high risk of more fractures
- Back pain, height loss and stooped back are all possible signs of spine fractures – ask for testing and treatment!
- A family history of osteoporosis and broken bones is a sign that you too may be at higher risk
- Osteoporosis is a growing global problem that respects no boundaries: worldwide, fractures affect one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50.
- Osteoporosis is a disease that can have serious effects. It can lead to fractures, which can be painful, take a long time to heal, and lead to other complications. A lot can be done to prevent and to treat osteoporosis, from eating right and exercising to taking appropriate medications.
Tips to Prevent Osteoporosis:
This year’s World Osteoporosis Day campaign theme is “Love your Bones,” which reminds everyone to help prevent osteoporosis by following three easy steps:
- Exercising of weight-bearing joints ,
- ensure you are getting enough vitamin D, and
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of calcium-rich foods.
