World Osteoporosis Day 2024: Everyday habits that can weaken your bone health, expert tips for stronger bones

World Osteoporosis Day is observed every year on 20 October to raise awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease in which your new bone formation does not keep up with the destruction of old bone. This results in loss of bone mass and mineralization, causing the bones to become brittle and sometimes fracture even at minor falls, hence called fragility fractures.

Risk factors for osteoporosis:

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Nitish Arora, Consultant Trauma, Limb Reconstruction, Deformity Correction and Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at Medicover Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, shared that the risk factors for secondary osteoporosis are classified into non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors. May go –

• Non-modifiable risk factors include Female gender, increasing age, early menopause, certain genetic factors, medications, and certain medical conditions (for example, long-term steroid use, rheumatoid arthritis).
• Modifiable risk factors include Obesity, lack of physical activity, insufficient bone mass, inadequate nutrition, unhealthy lifestyle including alcohol, obesity, excessive use of caffeine, prolonged use of over the counter antacids and steroids, all these factors can accelerate the progression of osteoporosis.

Primary osteoporosis can be postmenopausal (type 1) or senile (age-related) osteoporosis (type 2).

Do all patients with osteoporosis have symptoms?

Dr. Nitish Arora replied, “It is usually a silent disease unless complicated by fractures. People with osteoporosis may have stooped posture, reduced height, or bones may break more easily than expected. Sometimes they may present with severe back pain with spinal fractures without any history of falls.

Treatment of Osteoporosis:

According to Dr. Nitish Arora, prevention is the only treatment but yes, if you have osteoporosis, you can consult your doctor to slow down the progression of osteoporosis. Prevention can be started as early as possible when the child is growing up or it can also be started in the elderly (to arrest the speed of progression) in the form of –

• Attainment of higher peak bone mass and density: Regular exercise increases the formation of your new bones, strengthens your muscles, keeps your weight under control, maintains balance and hence prevents injuries.
• Adequate sunlight exposure and good nutrition including milk and milk-based products, fox nuts, dry fruits, millets, ragi, eggs, oily fishes.
• Vegetarians generally need regular vitamin D supplements because their diets are deficient in vitamin D.
• Weight loss: Obesity is one of the major risk factors for osteoporosis. It increases the mechanical load on the bone, reduces your absorption of vitamin D, releases certain factors into the body that predispose the patient to develop osteoporosis.
• Take calcium and vitamin D supplements regularly as recommended by your doctor.
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
• Do not abuse antacid pills. Take it only when needed.

Dr. Nitish Arora concludes, “Once you have osteoporosis or an AA fracture due to osteoporosis, in addition to the precautions mentioned above, try taking anabolic medications (depositing new bone) or antiresorptive medications (preventing the loss of old bone) ) Consult your doctor for. “Can help you slow down the progress.”

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.