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What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder that is characterized by decreased bone mass, leading to weak and brittle bones that have higher risk of fractures.

This condition is not limited to women and can also occur in men too. A study done by the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2001 showed that over 22% of men aged 65 and over suffered osteoporosis.

What are the causes?

Our bone is a dynamic organ. New bone tissue is being made while old bone tissue is being broken down. As we get past around age of 30, the process of new bone formation began to slow down relative to the process of old bone removal. This means that more bone cells are removed than new ones added, leading to gradual loss of bone mass. The risk of osteoporosis increases in later life if the person starts with a lesser bone mass and has a more rapid rate of bone loss. The following factors also predispose a person to osteoporosis:

• Alcoholism
• Smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle or prolonged immobilization such as after a stroke
• Poor diet with low calcium intake
• Drugs (steroid, chemotherapy, anti-convulsants)
• Certain endocrine diseases (e.g. thyrotoxicosis), cancer and inflammatory bowel disease

What are the symptoms?

Osteoporosis is usually clinically silent until a fracture occurs. The symptoms depend on the fracture site. The common sites of fracture include:

• Spine - often with acute back pain, progressively stooped posture and loss of height.
• Forearm - usually at the wrist area, often resulted from a fall.
• Hip - usually resulted from a fall.

How to prevent osteoporosis?

You can lower your risk of osteoporosis by the following ways:

• Engage in an active lifestyle and do regular exercise. Weight-bearing exercise based on your physical condition such as walking upstairs and weight lifting helps build calcium reserve in your bones.
• Eat a well-balanced diet to ensure adequate intake of calcium and Vitamin D. Calcium-enriched low fat milk/cheese, fish with bones (e.g. sardine) and dark green leafy vegetables are all good choices.
• Quit smoking.
• Reduce or avoid alcohol intake.

Preventive measures should preferably begin in childhood and adolescence.

What is the treatment?

The medical treatment of established osteoporosis mainly aims to slow down the rate of bone break down. If fracture occurs, surgical treatment may be needed. Lifestyle modification is important along with these treatments. The doctor will recommend the most appropriate treatment regimen depending on the severity of the patient's disease and any other associated conditions.

What can I do if I have osteoporosis?

If you have been diagnosed to have osteoporosis, there are a number of ways to help yourself:

• Maintain proper posture when sitting, walking or lifting weights to reduce stress to your spine.
• Exercise regularly, it improves agility and balance, and hence reduces risk of falls.
• Take extra care to prevent falls or trip.
• Follow the doctor's advice on drug treatment, exercise prescription and physiotherapy.

If you have any suspicion, you should consult your doctor.

Resource

The Chinese University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Osteoporosis Care and Control
Asian-Pacific Osteoporosis Foundation

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Hotline

The Chinese University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre
for Osteoporosis Care and Control
Hotline: 2252 8833