Spain: 25,000 fractures every year due to osteoporosis

On the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day, Dr. Manuel García-Manero, specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Director of the Gynecology Unit of the Mendebaldea Health Center in Pamplona and member of Top Doctors presents the most relevant data on Osteoporosis, as well as the predisposing factors for suffering from this disease, forms of treatment and recommendations for the day-to-day life of patients suffering from it.

Osteoporosis is defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in fragility and greater susceptibility to fractures. This disease is responsible for a high number of fractures after the age of 50. It is a preventable and treatable problem. Its incidence is increasing. In Spain, 25,000 fractures occur every year due to osteoporosis and 40% of women are at risk of suffering an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime.

What can cause Osteoporosis?

Predisposing factors for osteoporosis are:

  • Low weight
  • Early menopause
  • Low calcium intake
  • Alcoholism, smoking
  • Physical inactivity
  • Prolonged corticosteroid treatment

Treatment of Osteoporosis

Gynecology specialists recommend establishing the diagnosis of osteoporosis by measuring bone density by densitometry.

Treatment of osteoporosis is carried out by two routes:

  1. Non-pharmacological measures:
    • Diet
    • Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D
    • Physical exercise
    • Avoidance of alcohol and tobacco
  2. Pharmacological measures: estrogens, raloxifene, alendronate, strontium…

It is important to analyze each case and make recommendations to treat osteoporosis always on an individual basis. It is important to reach a diagnosis, study each case by analyzing the risk factors and habits of each patient, and finally establish the most appropriate treatment (pharmacological or not).

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Even so, in a generalized way, the following day-to-day recommendations can be carried out to treat osteoporosis:

  • We suggest an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D for all postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
  • In general, we recommend 1,200 mg of total daily elemental calcium and an additional 800 international units of vitamin D.
  • Additional important lifestyle measures include exercise, smoking cessation, fall prevention counseling, and avoidance of excessive alcohol consumption for all postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.