Millions of people worldwide suffer from osteoporosis. It generally goes undiscovered until a bone fracture, stressing the need for prompt treatment…
Countless people across the world have osteoporosis, which weakens bones. Although hormone imbalances and other issues might affect younger people, it mostly affects elderly people. Osteoporosis is hard to detect until it breaks. This highlights the necessity for early management and prevention of this silent disease before irreversible damage is done. Dr. Ashish Dewan, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Apollo Spectra Delhi, says identifying risk factors and taking preventative measures will greatly lower the incidence of this devastating ailment. Technology has also made bone density scans and genetic testing more accurate, allowing doctors to detect osteoporosis earlier. However, we must dispel numerous myths about this illness.
Let us help you discern fact from fantasy.
Myth #1: Osteoporosis is usually harmless.
Osteoporosis affects 36 million Indians. Two women and four men over 50 break a bone due to osteoporosis. Approximately two million bones are shattered annually by the condition.
Myth #2: Osteoporosis affects exclusively elderly women.
People of both the sexes can acquire osteoporosis. But, the illness is more frequent in the elderly.
Myth #3: Breaking a bone in a violent fall or accident won’t cause osteoporosis.
Broken bones in adults over 50 may indicate osteoporosis. Broken bones from significant falls or incidents often cause osteoporosis.
Myth #4: Osteoporosis patients experience weaker bones.
Osteoporosis is dubbed “silent disease.” Breaking a bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis. Some people discover osteoporosis after losing height from spine fractures. Broken bones can occur without pain.
Myth #5: Osteoporosis tests are painful and radiation-intensive.
A central DXA machine is recommended for bone mineral density testing. The procedure is pleasant, takes 5-10 minutes, and utilizes little radiation. Flying from Delhi to Bombay by airline exposes you to 10-15 times more radiation.
Myth #6: Kids and teens don’t require bone health concerns.
Physical activity and calcium and vitamin D intake help kids and teens avoid osteoporosis.
Myth #7: High milk consumption and activity prevent osteoporosis.
Even if you exercise and drink milk, you may get osteoporosis. There are several osteoporosis risk factors, some controllable and some not.
Myth #8: Osteoporosis is harmless.
Osteoporosis fractures are painful and severe. Broken bones can harm physical, mental, and emotional health and even kill. Protecting your bones throughout life is crucial.
Myth #9: Calcium supplements prevent osteoporosis.
Taking more calcium than needed is ineffective. Determine if a supplement is good for you by estimating your daily calcium intake from diet.
Myth #10: Vitamin D supplements are unnecessary for most people.
Vitamin D aids calcium absorption. If you don’t receive enough vitamin D or absorb it adequately, you risk osteoporosis. Sunlight and some foods contain vitamin D. Many need vitamin D supplements.
Millions of people worldwide suffer from osteoporosis. It generally goes undiscovered until a bone fracture, stressing the need for prompt treatment…
Countless people across the world have osteoporosis, which weakens bones. Although hormone imbalances and other issues might affect younger people, it mostly affects elderly people. Osteoporosis is hard to detect until it breaks. This highlights the necessity for early management and prevention of this silent disease before irreversible damage is done. Dr. Ashish Dewan, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Apollo Spectra Delhi, says identifying risk factors and taking preventative measures will greatly lower the incidence of this devastating ailment. Technology has also made bone density scans and genetic testing more accurate, allowing doctors to detect osteoporosis earlier. However, we must dispel numerous myths about this illness.
Let us help you discern fact from fantasy.
Myth #1: Osteoporosis is usually harmless.
Osteoporosis affects 36 million Indians. Two women and four men over 50 break a bone due to osteoporosis. Approximately two million bones are shattered annually by the condition.
Myth #2: Osteoporosis affects exclusively elderly women.
People of both the sexes can acquire osteoporosis. But, the illness is more frequent in the elderly.
Myth #3: Breaking a bone in a violent fall or accident won’t cause osteoporosis.
Broken bones in adults over 50 may indicate osteoporosis. Broken bones from significant falls or incidents often cause osteoporosis.
Myth #4: Osteoporosis patients experience weaker bones.
Osteoporosis is dubbed “silent disease.” Breaking a bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis. Some people discover osteoporosis after losing height from spine fractures. Broken bones can occur without pain.
Myth #5: Osteoporosis tests are painful and radiation-intensive.
A central DXA machine is recommended for bone mineral density testing. The procedure is pleasant, takes 5-10 minutes, and utilizes little radiation. Flying from Delhi to Bombay by airline exposes you to 10-15 times more radiation.
Myth #6: Kids and teens don’t require bone health concerns.
Physical activity and calcium and vitamin D intake help kids and teens avoid osteoporosis.
Myth #7: High milk consumption and activity prevent osteoporosis.
Even if you exercise and drink milk, you may get osteoporosis. There are several osteoporosis risk factors, some controllable and some not.
Myth #8: Osteoporosis is harmless.
Osteoporosis fractures are painful and severe. Broken bones can harm physical, mental, and emotional health and even kill. Protecting your bones throughout life is crucial.
Myth #9: Calcium supplements prevent osteoporosis.
Taking more calcium than needed is ineffective. Determine if a supplement is good for you by estimating your daily calcium intake from diet.
Myth #10: Vitamin D supplements are unnecessary for most people.
Vitamin D aids calcium absorption. If you don’t receive enough vitamin D or absorb it adequately, you risk osteoporosis. Sunlight and some foods contain vitamin D. Many need vitamin D supplements.
Conclusion
Millions worldwide, especially older people, suffer from osteoporosis. It generally goes undiscovered until a bone fracture, stressing the need for prompt treatment. Identifying risk factors and taking preventative measures can greatly lower the probability of this devastating disorder. Bone density tests and genetic testing are more accurate thanks to technology. However, osteoporosis myths include not needing to worry about it, not being only a problem for older women, not being painful or radiation-exposure-free, not allowing children and teens to worry about their bone health, not being at risk due to risk factors, and not taking calcium supplements.
