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International Osteoporosis Day 2012
by The Ovi Team
2012-10-20 11:15:15 |
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On 20 October 2012 it's World Osteoporosis Day, organised by International Osteoperosis Foundation (IOF) to raise awareness of this condition which causes bones to become thin and frail.
 The not for profit foundation was established in 1998 to provide a global alliance for those concerned about bone health and to help those who suffer from osteoperosis.
So what is osteoporosis? The literal meaning of the word is "porous bone", the disease causes a reduction in the density and quality of the bones, which increases the risk of fractures. Quite often a person does not realise that they have the disease until they suffer their first fracture. The most common places for the fractures are the hip, spine and wrist. And the risk of fracture increases in both men and women with age. However, osteoporosis is a treatable condition - and with lifestyle changes and medical treatment many fracture can now be avoided.
Each year millions of mostly older adults will suffer a devastating hip fracture caused by a simple fall. Millions more will suffer fractures of the wrist, shoulder, pelvis or spine. These fractures are no accident! It is likely that the underlying cause is osteoporosis.
An individual who has suffered an osteoporotic fracture is twice as likely to suffer a fracture in the future if no diagnosis of osteoporosis has been made and appropriate treatment provided.
Approximately half of all people who have had one osteoporotic fracture will have another, with the risk of additional fractures increasing with each new broken bone.
One in four women who have a new spine fracture will fracture again within one year.
Almost half of the patients who are treated in hospital for a hip fracture have had a previous fracture of some kind.
That first fracture was a warning sign! It should have resulted in immediate screening and, if indicated, management and treatment for osteoporosis.
Sadly, the reality is that most hospitals and clinics fail to ‘capture’ that first fracture – leaving patients open to a future of suffering and debility. Over 80% of fracture patients are never offered screening and/or treatment for osteoporosis, despite the fact that there are effective medications that can reduce fracture risk by as much as 30–70 %.
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