Osteoporosis Dubai UAE

7 Days, Dubai UAE
Last Updated : Friday 02 May, 2008 -

Osteoporosis has become one of the biggest health issues facing women in the Middle East. For Doctor Humeira Badsha, a specialist rheumatologist working at the Dubai Bone and Joint Centre, the statistics are a grave concern. “About 70 per cent of post menopausal women have a combination of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Osteoporosis is defined as having very weak bones, and osteopenia is moderately weak bones,” says Badsha.

This disease can ultimately lead to fractures, and a rapid decline in the quality of life. Although, the vast majority of women perceive osteoporosis to be limited to the older generation, a recent study carried out by the Dubai Bone and Joint Centre suggests otherwise.“We conducted a survey of 2,000 healthy people walking around a mall in the UAE. We checked the bone density and we found that amongst these 2,000 healthy adults, where the average age was 39 years, 30 per cent had a low bone mass,” says Badsha. Doctor Badsha points out that although low bone mass isn’t in itself osteoporosis, or osteopenia, it is nevertheless is a worrying trend.“Thirty per cent of young healthy adults walking about a mall having low bone mass is a shocking statistic,” she says. It seems that there is a concerning lack of awareness among women about osteoporosis. Experts like Doctor Badsha urge women to become more educated on the condition, understand the risks involved and take precautions to avoid developing osteoporosis. Doctor Badsha stresses that public awareness is key.“The more you reach out to people, the more we screen them and the more we see them coming in for treatment, and the more we save women from brittle bones,” she says.What are the consequences of osteoporosis?Osteoporosis bone fractures are responsible for considerable pain, decreased quality of life, lost workdays, and disability. Up to 30 per cent of patients suffering a hip fracture will require long term nursing home care, while some 20 per cent of women with a hip fracture will die in the subsequent year as an indirect result of the fracture. In addition, once a person has experienced a spine fracture due to osteoporosis, he or she is at very high risk of suffering another such fracture in the near future.How is osteoporosis prevented?The goal of osteoporosis treatment is the prevention of bone fractures by stopping bone loss and by increasing bone density and strength. Although early detection and timely treatment of osteoporosis can substantially decrease the risk of future fracture, none of the available treatments for osteoporosis are complete cures. In other words, it is difficult to completely rebuild bone that has been weakened by osteoporosis. Therefore, prevention of osteoporosis is as important as treatment.Here are five steps to bone health and osteoporosis prevention:>> Get your daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D.>> Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise for stronger bones.>> Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol.>> Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health.>> When appropriate, have a bone density test and take medication.GET MORE INFORMATIONContact the Dubai Bone and Joint Centre on 04 330 2000 or visit www.dbaj.ae