Osteoporosis prevention before the bones disappear

World Osteoporosis Day: strengthening bones at an early age

21/10/2014

More than six million people in Germany suffer from osteoporosis, more than five million of them are women. But you can also take precautions against the widespread disease that affects older people in particular. The basis for strong bones is laid at a young age. Experts of the World Osteoporosis Day on October 20 point out.

Over six million Germans suffer from osteoporosis
In Germany, according to one study 6.3 million people suffer from osteoporosis, 1.1 million of them men. Especially seniors are affected, which is why some experts speak of a widespread disease of the aging society. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers osteoporosis one of the top ten most common diseases. With increasing age, the risk of disease increases, as shown by a Germany-wide survey by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Accordingly, in the age group of over 65-year-olds at almost 16 percent of a medically diagnosed osteoporosis, with women being affected much more frequently. Due to demographic change, experts assume that the number of cases could increase by 30 percent by 2030.

Important is a healthy diet
In osteoporosis, which progresses slowly and at first imperceptibly, the bones lose mass and density, their structure loosens and they become „porous“. The stability sinks and the bones become easily vulnerable. Already with slight falls fractures threaten. Skeletal disease is often associated with bone pain. On the occasion of the World Osteoporosis Day on October 20, Bavaria's Health Minister Melanie Huml, who is a doctor herself, points out that osteoporosis is largely preventable. She explained in a press release: „At any age we can do something for stable bones, from childhood to old age. Above all, a healthy and calcium-rich diet is important.“ The foods that contain a lot of calcium include dairy products, vegetables such as broccoli, fennel or kale, nuts and some herbs. According to experts, coals, chocolates or roasted peanuts have a harmful effect as they contain phosphorus, which in turn attacks the bones. The consumption of alcohol and smoking should also be avoided.

Regular exercise is for prevention
Huml added that even regular exercise, ideally outdoors, is important in preventing osteoporosis in old age. An important factor in building up the bones is an adequate supply of vitamin D, which the body can produce by sunlight itself. In the case of a vitamin D deficiency, appropriate preparations can be used in consultation with the family doctor. The CSU politician emphasized: „The most common consequences of osteoporosis include fractures. These are often painful and can lead to severe movement restrictions and even long-term care. This can turn into a vicious circle because immobility and bed-resteness lead to a further loss of bone density.‎“ She added: „It is therefore important that the disease is detected in good time.“ This is also because the disease is treatable, especially if it is detected early.

Lack of sex hormones
It has not yet been completely clarified why the disease predominantly affects old people and mostly women. The physician Prof. Johannes Pfeilschifter, who has been coordinating the further development of the guideline on osteoporosis, a scientifically based orientation aid for diagnosis and therapy, for ten years, told the news agency dpa: „In old age, however, a whole series of factors that can promote osteoporosis culminate.“ Among other things, physicians attribute the fact that the body bones off more than replaces back to a lack of sex hormones. In a complex interaction with minerals and other hormones, estrogen and testosterone provide lifelong bone regeneration. The new bone construction falter when they are not so heavily distributed.

Deficits in diagnosis and care
Prof. Heide Siggelkow, chairman of the Federation of Osteology (DVO), addressed deficits regarding the recognition of the disease and the care of patients. She told dpa: „In Germany, we are far behind in terms of diagnosis.“ Many general practitioners in this country are not well aware of the signs of osteoporosis. Even after several fractures, many of them rarely responded to the condition. But without a proper diagnosis, there is no appropriate treatment with drugs. And this despite the fact that according to experts, half of all femoral neck fractures could be avoided with standard medication therapies.

Other countries are further
„In addition, we need to better care for patients after a break“, so Siggelkow. „The surgeon usually takes great care that the hip is working again. But we have to take a much closer look at how it can happen that the whole person works again.“ The reintegration of patients after a fracture works much better in other countries with the help of special nurses. „Approaches to improving the transition between hospital, home or home are still in their infancy“, explained Siggelkow. (Ad)