Perimenopausal Osteoporosis on rise, says doctor

Kolkata: Perimenopausal Osteoporosis is a disease prevalent among many women in the state, said a city-based doctor on Sunday.

The doctor said the disease is on the rise among the women and if not rightly checked more women would be affected with the disease. People are not aware about the disease and hence it is further contributing to the rise in the number of victims. Women can lose up to 20% of their bone density in the five to seven years around the menopause.

Osteoporosis is not often discovered until weakened bones cause painful fractures usually in the back or hips. Unfortunately, once you have a broken bone due to osteoporosis, you are at high risk of having another. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, increasing the risk of sudden and unexpected fractures. Osteoporosis results in an increased loss of bone mass and strength. The disease often progresses without any symptoms or pain, the doctor said. A woman's chances of getting the bone-thinning disease Osteoporosis go up with age, especially after menopause. Women commonly get affected with the disease before menopause, hence it is called Perimenopausal Osteoporosis or bone loss. As bones become thinner with osteoporosis, they break more easily.

Dr C S Dhar, consultant, department of orthopedics and joint replacements at a city hospital, advised that the women should adopt a healthier, bone-friendly lifestyle around the time of menopause. One can have osteoporosis at any age and be aware of it for there are often no symptoms. For many women, the first sign that they have the condition is a broken bone. Osteoporosis tends to affect the specific bones like the spine, wrists, shoulders, pelvis, and hips as they are in active use. These fractures can change the shape of the body, especially when they affect the spine.

People having a family history of osteoporosis or fracture are more prone to the disease.

A history of eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia can contribute to the disease. If the patients suffer from other diseases, including kidney, thyroid disease, and connective tissue disorders they can have osteoporosis as well. If periods become irregular for a woman over the course of more than 12 months except during pregnancy, she must visit to a doctor. Lack of exercise for a long time and smoking for a prolonged period of time may also lead to the disease.

"To reduce the risk of osteoporosis, eat a diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D and do regular exercise. It is not just Calcium which helps in getting a strong bone, but Vitamin D plays a vital role in getting a healthy bone. Vitamin D enables the body to absorb calcium, and calcium is necessary for maintaining the bone density. Women around the time of menopause may be prescribed a vitamin D derivative and calcium supplements," Dr Dhar maintained.