Osteoporosis as a Silent Epidemic Disease, Don't Take It For granted!

Definition of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis literally means porous bones, is a disease that usually occurs due to the breakdown of bone tissue. As a result, the bones thin and lose mass. In general, healthy human bones look like a honeycomb when viewed under a microscope. However, the bones of people with osteoporosis look hollow and lack solid parts. As the bones become more porous and brittle. This affects the relationship between bones. The risk of fracture also increases. Bone breakdown occurs insidiously and often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs. The Indonesian Ministry of Health noted that the prevalence of osteoporosis in Indonesia was 23% in women aged 50-80 years, and 53% in women aged 80 years and over.

 

Osteoporosis Facts

According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), a non-governmental charity based in Nylon, Switzerland, detection for osteoporosis is still rare because the disease is still considered trivial. According to IOF, osteoporosis is currently underdiagnosed and undertreated because many people still underestimate the disease.

 

Osteoporosis occurs gradually over several years without obvious symptoms. Usually only detected after experiencing bone damage. It doesn't hurt unless it cracks.

 

In fact, about 20% of people with osteoporotic fractures die within one year. "Millions of people around the world are at high risk of fractures (fractures), but (they) are not aware of it," IOF wrote on its official website. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia stated that at least 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men aged over 50 years worldwide will experience a fracture (broken bone) due to osteoporosis.

 

Causes and Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

Risk factors for osteoporosis include many conditions, some of which are modifiable and others non-modifiable.

Modifiable risk factors:

• Sex hormones. Low estrogen levels associated with perforated menstrual cycles and menopause can cause osteoporosis in women. Whereas in men, low testosterone levels can cause osteoporosis. This can be modified with dietary changes as well as hormonal therapy.
• Anorexia nervosa. In anorexia nervosa, the body does not get the nutrients it should, so it lacks the components needed to maintain bone density
• Lack of calcium and vitamin D can cause bones to become brittle.
• Use of certain drugs
• Lack of physical activity
• Smoking
• Alcohol

 

Non-modifiable risk factors:

• Gender. Women are more prone to osteoporosis than men
• Age. As a degenerative disease, osteoporosis attacks individuals with an elderly age of about 40 years and over
• Small and thin body size in women
• Women with Caucasian and Asian ethnicity have the highest risk than Hispanic and black women
• Family history of osteoporosis

 

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

The symptoms of osteoporosis are quoted from the Ministry of Health page:

1.Stooped Posture

A stooped back posture as often seen in the elderly

2. Decrease in height

3. Frequent injuries or fractures

It usually occurs in the spine of the wrist, arm or groin.

4.Back Pain

Experience long-term ongoing back pain.

 

But Osteoporosis is also dubbed the Silent Epidemic Disease, because it attacks silently, without any special signs, until a fracture occurs. osteoporosis can also occur in children called Juvenile Idiopathic osteoporosis but is not yet known. Nine million fractures every year so it can be concluded that one fracture every 3 seconds.

 

How to Prevent Osteoporosis

Quoted from the Ministry of Health page, there are several ways to prevent Osteoporosis:

• Have a balanced diet. Rich in calcium content because calcium is one of the bone-forming substances. Calcium-rich foods include: anchovies, broccoli, tempeh and tofu.
• Active and exercise regularly and regularly
• Regular menstruation
• Sufficient exposure to sunlight (vitamin D). Morning : Before 09.00 WIB & Afternoon: After 16.00 WIB
• Avoid smoking and alcoholic beverages, as well as excessive caffeine.
• Consume milk and nuts.

 

Hermina's friend, that's information about osteoporosis, hopefully it can add to the knowledge of Hermina's friends about osteoporosis and Hermina's friends can do prevention as early as possible. Best regards, Hermina's friend.