Know the reality behind this disease that affects more people than cancer worldwide

Did you know? Worldwide, osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually, resulting in an osteoporotic fracture every 3 seconds.
More startling is the fact that approximately 200 million women are affected by this life-long debilitating health condition, as per Siemens healthcare. This is not to say that it only affects women but they are more likely to suffer from it that men. 1 in 3 women over age 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will 1 in 5 men aged over 50.

An IOF survey, conducted in 11 countries, showed denial of personal risk by postmenopausal women, lack of dialogue about osteoporosis with their doctor, and restricted access to diagnosis and treatment before the first fracture result in underdiagnosis and undertreatment of the disease.

In such a situation, it needs urgent attention from people who can educate themselves on the reasons leading to Osteoporosis and observe a healthy lifestyle to keep it at bay. We bring certain facts that women must know and also the ways one can prevent or fight it:

FACTS:

-Approximately one-tenth of women aged 60, one-fifth of women aged 70, two-fifths of women aged 80 and two-thirds of women aged 90 are affected by Osteoporosis.

-In women over 45 years of age, osteoporosis accounts for more days spent in hospital than many other diseases, including diabetes, myocardial infarction and breast cancer.

-Evidence suggests that many women who sustain a fragility fracture are not appropriately diagnosed and treated for probable osteoporosis.

-80%, 75%, 70% and 58% of forearm, humerus, hip and spine fractures, respectively, occur in women. Overall, 61% of osteoporotic fractures occur in women, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.6.

PREVENTION

Building strong bones throughout lifetime can enable one to continue doing the things they enjoy for longer. The five simple ways Worldosteoporosis.org asks you to follow to live independently, free of the pain and suffering caused by broken bones are:

- Regular exercise

- Having bone healthy nutrients (Calcium, Vitamin D and proteins)

- Avoiding negative lifestyle habits (alcohol, caffeine, compromising on sleep, stress)

- Identifying risk factors (Anorexia, family history, age, ethnicity, low sex hormone levels, coeliac disease, lactose maldigestion, consuming anti-depressants and corticosterois)

-Consulting a doctor and taking Osteoporosis medicines if required

(Image credit: Indiatimes)