The day is dedicated to creating global awareness for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
Date: 20 October
Objective: Making people across the world aware of their muscle health and securing their bones and motivating the government to formulate health policies keeping in mind the public interest.
Risk: Women are more at risk of suffering from osteoporosis than men, mainly after the age of fifty.
Other information: According to orthopaedics, 26 million people in India suffer from the disease, of which 70 per cent are women.
The day is dedicated to creating global awareness for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. This year the theme of this day is "Love your bones and secure your future".
This day is celebrated to encourage people to take quick action to secure their muscle health and their bones and to motivate health officials and physicians in securing the bone health of their Osteoporosis community.
Osteoporosis is characterized by the malfunction of bone tissue. In this disease, the bones become fragile and weak, as a result of which there is an increased risk of fracture of the spine especially hip and wrist. Women are more at risk of suffering from osteoporosis than men, mainly after the age of 50.
Experts say that in India, women above 50 years of age have a higher risk of fracture due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis weakens bones, increasing the risk of rupture. Some significant symptoms are backache, short height or leaning forward. According to orthopaedics, Twenty-six million people are suffering from the disease in India, of which 70 per cent are women.
According to Pankaj Walechha, an orthopedist at Primus Super Specialty Hospital, estrogen hormones begin to decrease in women during menopause, increasing the risk of bone weakening. Calcium deficiency occurs in women even during childbirth, which is often difficult to compensate. Therefore, women of 45 to 50 years who have irregular menstruation should start taking calcium.
Causes of Osteoporosis
Sex- This disease occurs mostly in women after menopause.
Age- The risk of suffering from osteoporosis is more in those above the age of fifty years. Families suffering from history osteoporosis with parents father or brothers and sisters in the family members of developing osteoporosis risk are higher.
Dietary factors- Consuming less calcium and less food. Medications- Long-term medications such as steroids.
Lifestyle factors - a more sedentary/passive lifestyle, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.