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Osteoporosis: Prevalence and Management
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Posted On :
Oct-11-2010
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Article Word Count :
494
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Osteoporosis is a major cause of disability in Australia.2 It is a serious disease that affects 2.2 million Australians, that number is expected to increase to 3 million by 20212.
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Osteoporosis is often referred to as the 'silent disease' because the bone loss is gradual and usually occurs without visible symptoms until the disease is advanced. 1 Often the first time many sufferers discover they have it is when they experience a fracture. Fractures are a common consequence of the bones becoming weaker.
Osteoporosis is a major cause of disability in Australia.2 It is a serious disease that affects 2.2 million Australians, that number is expected to increase to 3 million by 2012.
Currently someone is admitted to hospital every 5-6 minutes with an osteoporotic fracture2. The number of hip fractures sustained each year is projected to increase by 15% every 5 years until 20262. The increasing prevalence of osteoporosis is linked to Australia’s ageing population.
There are various measures that can be taken to treat osteoporosis; however the best approach is to prevent it from occurring. Some of the steps to prevent osteoporosis include3,4,5,6:
Adequate daily calcium intake;
Adequate vitamin D through diet, supplementation or exposure to sunlight;
Maintain a healthy body weight;
And, doing plenty of weight-bearing exercise such as walking or jogging.
If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, it is likely that your doctor will recommend the following:
1. Lifestyle changes which may include:
• Increasing your calcium intake through your daily diet or supplements
• Increasing the amount of exercise each week. If you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis any exercise program should be evaluated for safety by your doctor before you begin.
• Quitting smoking.
• Decreasing your alcohol intake.
• Increasing your exposure to limited sunlight to correct any vitamin D deficiencies or with supplementation.
2. Medication to stop further bone loss and help prevent fractures.
3. Fall prevention measures that will hopefully result in a reduction in falls that lead to bone fractures.
Adequate calcium intake helps to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. As the bones become weaker, fractures may occur simply under the burden of supporting the body. Even minor falls can cause serious fracture, especially to the spine, hip or wrist. Fractures of the spinal vertebrae may result in persistent back pain, curvature of the spine and loss of height.
To learn more about osteoporosis risks and prevention, visit caltrate.com.au/
Always read the label. Use only as directed.
References
1. Osteoporosis Australia (2007). What is Osteoporosis? osteoporosis.org.au accessed 13 May 2010.
2. The Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Western Hospital, Footscray, Victoria (2007). The Burden of Brittle Bones: Epidemiology, Costs & Burden of Osteoporosis in Australia.
3. Access Economics Limited (2001). The Burden of Brittle Bones: Costing Osteoporosis in Australia.
4. Diamond T. (2001). Men and Osteoporosis. The Australian Family Physician 30 (8): 781-785
5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2008). A Picture of Osteoporosis.
6. National Osteoporosis Foundation. NOF Osteoporosis Prevention – Risk Factors for Osteoporosis. Retrieved 7 July 1010 from nof.org/prevention/risk.htm
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Osteoporosis: Prevalence and Management_37079.aspx
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Author Resource :
Osteoporosis is often referred to as the 'silent disease' because the bone loss is gradual and usually occurs without visible symptoms until the disease is advanced. 1 Often the first time many sufferers discover they have it is when they experience a fracture. Fractures are a common consequence of the bones becoming weaker.
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Keywords :
caltrate, osteoporosis, calcium, bone disease, diet,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Medicine
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