MAINTAIN YOUR BONE MASS, says expert

Zirakpur, March 10, 2013:“Throughout their life, women skeleton loses old bones and forms new bones. Osteoporosis occurs when they lose too many bones. It is thinning and weakening of the bones, usually associated with the aging process. As women’s age increases, estrogens levels decrease in the body and the risk of osteoporosis increases. Women can lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years after menopause, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis.”

These views were shared by Dr. Harinder Batth, a Senior Consultant in Department of Orthopedics at Dashmesh Orthopedic and Trauma Center while speaking during a seminar on ‘Women & their Health Care’ to mark Women’s Day at Dashmesh Orthopedic and Trauma Center, here today.

Dr. Batth further said that Osteoporosis was a disease with no detectable symptoms. About 85 % to 90% of adult bone mass was acquired by girls and boys in 18 yrs and 20 yrs respectively. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence could help to prevent osteoporosis later in life. While osteoporosis was often thought of as an older person's disease, it could strike at any age.  It affected 55% of population above 50 years.”

He said, Asian women faced the greatest risk of osteoporosis. An inactive lifestyle put women at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis Women with a slender build experienced more bone loss than other women. A history of eating disorders increased the risk of osteoporosis. Women whose family history includes osteoporosis have a higher risk of developing this condition. Some medications such as diuretics, steroids, and anticonvulsants increased the risk. Women who smoke or drink alcohol could experience a higher incidence of osteoporosis, pointed out Dr. Batth.

Women should consume 1000 mg of elemental Ca (Calcium) in their daily diet, but if a strong family history of osteoporosis was present or if osteoporosis has already been diagnosed, total Ca intake should be 1500 mg/24 h. typically, a small daily supplement of vitamin D (400 IU) is recommended, opined Dr Batth.

There were many risk factors that could escalate osteoporosis in women. The cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, diet low in calcium and poor nutrition, low estrogen levels, which occured in menopause or with early surgical removal of both ovaries, low testosterone levels (hypogonadism) were some main factors, remarked Dr. Batth.

Talking about the measure to check the Osteoporosis, Dr Batth said that a routine x-ray could reveal osteoporosis of the bone, because the bones appear much thinner and lighter than normal bones. Ultrasound of the heel was a good screening tool but not appropriate for diagnosis of osteoporosis from the point of view of therapy. One should increase the bone mass as much as possible in the formative years. Do impact loading exercise like brisk walking and have adequate calcium, vitamin D and proteins in a healthy well- balanced diet. With doctor's prescription, one has to have medicines like antiresorptives, eg, bisphosphonate or bone forming drugs like teriparatides, depending on which was suitable, maintained Dr. Batth.