World Osteoporosis Day observed

CHENNAI: The World Osteoporosis day was observed at Clasic Kudumbam, retirement society, here recently. On the occasion, an awareness programme on Osteoporosis was held for the elders living in the home. V Ravi, D Ortho, DNB(Ortho) Spine Fellow Consultant Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeon, of Apollo Hospitals, said the elders were vulnerable to the disease. Giving suggestions to the senior citizens, the doctor gave a presentation on how to prevent Osteoporosis from affecting them in the future and also the cure for the disease. “Smoking, alcoholism, and sedentariness, are the major causes of Osteoporosis. Indians are also racially vulnerable to the disease. It can affect someone genetically as well,” the doctor said. “Physical activity involving the whole body for about 40 minutes daily can keep the disease at bay,” he informed. “Osteoporosis, is nothing but a stage when the bones get weakened. Bones are dynamic in nature. They form and destruct simultaneously. Until the age of 30, the formation of bones will be slightly less than the amount of destruction.Therefore, the bone mass will get depleted and the bones will start weakening,” the doctor said. “Once affected, the doctors, after confirming the disease, will start giving calcium and Vitamin D tablets along with medicines to strengthen the bone mass. Sometimes, the patients will have to take the medicines for upto five years to strengthen their bones,” he said and added, “The cure will not be permanent unless the patient continues to perform physical activity as advised by the doctors.”“The Spinal Cord will be the first part of the human body to get affected. In cases of spine fractures, which cannot be cured through medicines, two types of surgeries can be performed to reduce the pain and to strengthen the bones," he said.