World Osteoporosis Day falls on October 20, 2007. The initiative, carrying the theme, 'Beat the Break: Know and reduce your osteoporosis risks’ is an exercise in establishing the importance of bone health for all ages.

Significantly, the campaign underway all through the year will create awareness about osteoporosis, its risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. What will stand out in the campaign is the stress on prevention of osteoporosis, which is well within our reach.

The goal of this awareness programme is to help people of all ages to ascertain their risk of osteoporosis and take steps to mitigate the impact of the disease.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation along with its integrated network all around the world will launch a new kit called as the ‘One minute Risk Test’ which will enable individuals to evaluate their osteoporosis risks.

‘Bone’ Voyage

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition of the bones caused by a gradual loss of bone density. Loss of vital minerals, especially calcium from the bones causes them to become porous, fragile and brittle. This makes the bones vulnerable to fractures, especially at the wrist, spine and hip. The disease is more pronounced in both men and women as they age.

Bone loss creeps in silently, gradually and painlessly; there are no tell tale symptoms of advancing osteoporosis, also called a ‘silent disease’. Many patients are diagnosed with the condition after they suffer a fracture. This makes it important to create sufficient awareness of the disease in order to take necessary preventive steps.

Bone up on Facts

Adults have about 206 rigid bones in their bodies. The bones are made up of calcium, phosphorous, sodium and other minerals, vitamins and the protein, collagen.Calcium is stored in the bones and is released to the other body parts according to the need. As children grow, bones become strong due to accumulation of bone mass. This process takes place till about 30 years of age.

Nearly 71% of the osteoporosis fractures occur in women. Genetically, women are born with a bone mass less than that of men. After menopause, the loss of bone mass is accentuated, caused by a reduction in the estrogen level. That is why osteoporosis is more common in women than men. Notwithstanding, nearly one in 3 women and one in 5 men over the age of 50 are grappling with the effects of bone loss.

More than 26 million people in India alone are battling osteoporosis; these numbers are expected to go up to 36 million by 2013. Further, as per forecasts, Asia will account for more than 50% of hip fractures in the world by 2050. An estimated 44 million people in the United States suffer the condition.

Worse, almost 24% of patients above 50 years of age who suffer a hip fracture do not live beyond a year.

Getting Close to the Bone – Risks

• Heredity and genes have a significant role in the development of osteoporosis.
• Women who have undergone hysterectomy, or who have reached premature menopause carry the risk of osteoporosis.
• Improper diet during the growing up years especially if calcium intake has been insufficient below the recommended daily allowance, then the risk is pronounced.