World Osteoporosis Day

Naseem Sheikh

World Osteoporosis Day was launched on 20 October 1996 by the United Kingdom's National Osteoporosis Society and supported by European Commission. Since 1997, the day has been organized by IOF .

Osteoporosis is now common.Around the world, at least one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture caused by weak bones.

In our late forties our risk of weak bones increases and in females the risk increases more. The main reasons are lack of awareness, imbalance of hormones, calcium deficiency, wrong food, excessive dieting.Thirty-three per cent of older adults who suffer a hip fracture become physically impaired and lose their ability to live independently one year after the fracture.

Osteoporosis fracture. Coloured X-ray of the hip of an elderly woman with a fractured femur (lower right, red) caused by osteoporosis (brittle bone disease). The round femur head articulates with the pelvis at the hip socket (centre). The femur (thigh bone) is fractured at the neck between the head and shaft of the bone. Osteoporosis causes a loss in bone density, making the bones thinner, more brittle and more likely to break. In this case the femur fractured by a fall.

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Bone loss can also be related to chronic inflammation (caused by body dehydration and many other factors) and by an overly acidic inner body pH (of 7.0 or less). Our inner body should have a lightly alkaline pH (greater than 7.0). Bone dehydration (insufficient body water) can cause both chronic inflammation and an acidic inner body. Dehydration is usually alleviated by drinking at least eight glasses of water daily. Since most drinking water is slightly alkaline, drinking it tends to make your body less acid.

Post menopausal osteoporosis is the most common form of osteoporosis. It affects many women after menopause.

World Osteoporosis Day is observed annually on October 20, launching a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related muscular skeletal diseases.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)has released a new report, revealing approximately 80 percent of patients treated in clinics or hospitals following a fracture are not screened for osteoporosis or risk of future falls. Left untreated, these patients are at high risk of suffering secondary fractures and facing a future of pain, disfigurement, long-term disability and even early death.

Osteoporosis risks can be reduced with lifestyle changes and sometimes medication, and avoiding alcohol and smoking. Proper nutrition has an important and complex role in the maintenance of good bone high protein. Many soft drinks contains phosphoric acid which plays an important role in reduction of bone size and width so we should keep strict check on it.