Prevention and treatment of Osteoporosis
IMC’s Dr June Tan explains the impact of osteoporosis and how to prevent it
Osteoporosis is the weakening of the bones due to a lack of calcium, resulting in an increased risk of fracture. Fractures commonly occur in the hip, spine and wrist. A hip fracture usually requires hospitalisation and major surgery and can impair a person’s ability to walk unassisted. It may also lead to permanent disability, or even death. Studies show one in five hip fracture patients aged 50 years and over require long-term care after surgery, and only 40 percent fully regain the level of independence they had before the fracture. Spinal fractures also have serious consequences, such as loss of height, back pain and deformity. Osteoporosis is a “silent” disease. You can’t feel your bones getting weaker, so may not realise you have osteoporosis until you have a fracture. Spinal fractures may first be felt or seen in the form of severe back pain, loss of height, or a hunched back, but in many cases a fracture can occur without any pain.
Osteoporosis is more common in women than in men as women have less bone mass than men, tend to live longer, take in less calcium and need estrogen (female hormone) to keep their bones strong. Your total bone mass is at its peak when you reach the age of 30 and dwindles thereafter, with loss speeding up after menopause as estrogen levels fall. Faster bone loss may also occur if both ovaries have been removed.
If you suspect you’re at risk of osteoporosis, see your doctor for an assessment. You may need a bone mineral density (BMD) scan which takes pictures of your hip and lower spinal bones. There’s no cure for osteoporosis but there are medications to prevent and treat it, the need for which depends on your risk factors and bone density.
Are you at risk?
- Early menopause
- Previous fracture
- Smoke
- Don’t get enough calcium or exercise
- Osteoporosis runs in your family
- Abuse alcohol
- Thin body and small bone frame
- Malabsorption
- Hyperthyroidism
- Long-term use of oral steroids
Prevention pointers
Prevention pointers
1. Calcium recommendation: 1,000 milligrams (below 50 years) and 1,500 milligrams (above 50 years) a day. Take plenty of non-fat and low-fat dairy products, beans, nuts, broccoli, spinach, canned sardines with bones, calcium-fortified cereal, tofu made with calcium, and calcium-fortified soy beverages.
2. Exercise regularly – walking, running, aerobics and muscle-strengthening.
3. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
.jpg)
Dr June Tan MBBS MMed (Family Medicine)
Dr June Tan MBBS MMed (Family Medicine)Dr Tan is a family physician with special interests in chronic disease management, women’s health, paediatrics and musculoskeletal conditions. She earned her Masters degree in Family Medicine in 2002 and has served as a senior family physician in a local primary care institution.
