World Osteoporosis Day: the silent disease that weakens bones

Osteoporosis is a rheumatologic disease that affects mostly women. It is estimated that 1 in 4 postmenopausal women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis. On World Osteoporosis Day we have the collaboration of Dr. Juan Muñoz Ortego, member of Top Doctors, specialist in Rheumatology and medical director of the instituteMYM and ISADMU at Centro Médico Teknon, units specialized in the approach of rheumatic and autoimmune pathologies. The celebration of this day aims to raise awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases worldwide.

What exactly is osteoporosis and how does it manifest itself?

Osteoporosis is a rheumatic bone disease that mainly affects women. The bone loses density and its internal porosity increases, resulting in a more fragile bone with less resistance to shocks, which leads to an increased risk of bone fractures.

Women, the most affected by osteoporosis

It is estimated that 1 in 4 postmenopausal women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, while this percentage rises to 40% in women over the age of 70. Men are not free from this disease, which affects up to 13% of men of the same age. Epidemiological studies indicate that more than 25,000 osteoporotic fractures occur each year in our country. In Spain, it is estimated that around 78% of mortality and 45% of disability secondary to falls in the population over 70 years of age are directly attributable to low bone mass and, therefore, preventable.

The main factors that influence the risk of developing osteoporosis are: genetics, advanced age, female sex, previous fractures, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, intake deficits and the consumption of certain drugs.

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Why is osteoporosis somewhat unknown and what lines of research are currently underway?

Osteoporosis is a disease that, although it affects many people, is slightly unknown. The main reason is because it is a silent disease and when it manifests itself it is because there has been a fracture. If good prevention is not carried out, it is not detected and this involves seeing a rheumatologist, who will evaluate the degree of osteoporosis of the patient, normally with a bone densitometry of the spine and hip, and will also evaluate the individual risk of having a fragility fracture.

There are currently lines of research into new pharmacological therapies and nutritional studies to stop losing bone, to gain more bone mass and, in parallel, other lines of work to maintain good musculoskeletal health and prevent falls.

Day-to-day life of a patient with osteoporosis: how to make it more bearable?

There are a number of tips that will help any patient suffering from osteoporosis:

  • If you are a woman and are approaching menopause, think about your bones and have a check-up.
  • If you are a man and you are over 60, also keep an eye on your bones, you must prevent them from breaking.
  • Go to your rheumatologist to evaluate the degree of osteoporosis and the risk of fractures you may have.
  • Alcohol and tobacco are toxic for your bones and cause osteoporosis, avoid their consumption.
  • A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D a day will help you take care of your bones.
  • Musculature and balance are fundamental to avoid falls, tone your muscles, walk 1 hour a day and train your balance.
  • Remember that osteoporosis is a disease, one of the few in rheumatology, that we can cure if you do your part.