Osteoporosis Diverse bone killers

More than six million Germans suffer from osteoporosis

19.04.2013

Millions of people in Germany suffer from osteoporosis, resulting in an „German Medical Journal“ Published evaluation of the insurance data of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). Bones naturally lose their density with age, but the extent of this bone loss can vary greatly. Whether a morbid loss of bone substance develops in the course of life is determined decisively by various factors, such as diet and exercise habits, sun contact and genetic make-up.

The researchers of the University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, the IGES Institute and the Scientific Institute of Health Benefits and Efficiency in Health Care have, with the support of scientists from Nycomed GmbH and AMGEN GmbH, the data of TK for osteoporosis diagnoses, osteoporotic fractures and drug prescriptions evaluated. According to their projections, around 6.3 million people in Germany suffer from osteoporosis. Of the more than 50-year-old TK insured, around 14 percent (240,657 out of 1.7 million insured persons) were affected in 2009. Women were significantly more likely to become ill than men. According to the researchers, 24 percent of women over the age of 50 were affected, but only 6 percent of men. The number of new cases is estimated by the scientists at 885,000 per year.

Alcohol, nicotine, coffee and cola bad for the bones?
Numerous factors that may play a role in the development of osteoporosis have been investigated in studies. In addition to the long-known key influencing factors - vitamin D, estrogen and calcium intake - researchers have now also identified numerous potential bone killers worldwide. Often this is a negative effect on the calcium intake and the vitamin D metabolism assumed, such as in the excessive consumption of alcohol, coffee or cola. The latter, for example, due to the phosphate contained in the calcium intake. Alcohol and nicotine also have a negative effect on the bone substance through the reduction of calcium intake, but also by influencing the estrogen level.

Calcium-rich diet, exercise and sun
As a trigger of osteoporosis, certain drugs come into consideration, especially the long-term use of cortisone for the negative effects on the bone substance is known. If patients, for example in asthma, are prescribed cortisone, the increase in the risk of osteoporosis should also be considered or alternatives sought. Ultimately, however, starting from an age of about 40 years onset of natural bone degradation can not be completely avoided. However, by adjusting the diet to a lot of calcium-rich foods (dairy and vegetables like fennel or broccoli), daily sunlight (for vitamin D production), and sufficient exercise, it can strengthen the bone and counteract natural bone resorption.

Osteoporosis possible cause of increased fractures
Many sufferers take the bone loss of osteoporosis initially was not, because this runs in the initial stage almost asymptomatic. Over time, however, complaints such as back pain, back pain or joint and limb pain are added, which show up especially under stress. In the course of the increasing reduction of bone density, these become fragile and those affected increasingly suffer from fractures that can occur even with minimal force. In the end, the osteoporosis patients are severely limited by their illness. Therefore, countermeasures should be taken as early as possible. (Fp)