Coimbatore, Oct 20 (PTI) Osteoporosis, a disorder characterised by decrease in the density of bone and bone mass resulting in fragile and weak bones, is of late proving to be one of the major ‘silent killer diseases,’ in the country, a specialist said today. According to various studies, osteoporosis-affected population in India would be around 28 million, with 20 per cent of women and 10 to 15 per cent of men aged above 50 becoming osteoporotic, Dr S Rajasekaran, Director, Ganga Hospital and President of Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) told reporters here. Stating that the osteoporotic fractures occured in the spine, wrist and the hip bones, were largedly under-diagnosed and undere-treated in India, he said the problem was particularly worse in rural and semi-urban areas. In urban areas, this was widely prevalent due to poor lifestyle pattern of the people and in general, 83 per cent of all spinal fractures were caused by Osteoporosis, which could be treated if the patient reached the surgeon on time with procedures such as Kyphoplasty and vertbroplasty, Rajasekaran said. The most important preventive measures are lifestyle change including quitting cigarette smoking, curtailing excessive alcohol intake, exercising regularly and consuming a balanced diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D. The World Osteroporosis day is being observed today, with the theme ‘Don’t bend to Osteoporosis,’ Rajasekaran added. PTI nvm
