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Avoid sedentary lifestyle, keep osteoporosis at bay

ABU DHABI — Osteoporosis, a condition that causes thinning and weakening of normal bones, can be prevented, says a bone consultant.

“A person can minimise the risk of developing osteoporosis and a first fracture by avoiding inactive or sedentary lifestyle, giving up smoking, reducing weight, and by taking a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D,” said Dr Rajeendra Gupta, Head of Orthopaedic Department at Mafraq Hospital.

In an interview with Khaleej Times to shed light on osteoporosis, the expert explained that this condition is a progressive bone disease in which bone tissue is normally mineralised, but the amount of bone is decreased.

“Osteoporosis is not arthritis, which leads to problems within joints due to cartilage wear. Instead, osteoporosis is a problem of the bone, and its ability to adequately support the weight of your body,” he noted.

“If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist,” he cautioned.

“Any bone can be affected, but of special concern are fractures of the hip and spine. A hip fracture almost always requires hospitalisation and major surgery. It can impair a person’s ability to walk unassisted and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or even death,” he said.

Spinal or vertebral fractures can also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back pain and deformity, he added.

Dr Gupta said there are two main types of osteoporosis, Type I osteoporosis occurs only in post-menopausal women, and is caused by estrogen deficiency while Type II osteoporosis occurs in both men and women (about two times more frequently in women), and is due to ageing, and calcium deficiency over many years.

“In pregnant and lactating women, the rate of bone loss will temporarily increase if the increased calcium demands of pregnancy or breastfeeding are not met by increased dietary intake of calcium. In women, there is also a significant decrease of bone mass in the immediate post-menopausal period”, said Dr Gupta.

“Although osteoporotic fractures are less common in men than in women, when they occur, these fractures are associated with higher disability and death in men than in women,” said Dr Gupta.