Statistics are alarming 35% women over 50 years are prone to Osteoporosis.

Manipal Hospital organizes awareness drive ‘Know Your Bone Condition’ on World Osteoporosis Day

To commemorate World Osteoporosis Day, Manipal Hospital has announced an Awareness Program and a Poster Exhibition beginning October 20th 2010 to increase awareness on the ills of decreased bone density. To this end, a comprehensive discounted package for people above 40 years has been initiated. Osteoporosis can be a major debilitating disease. This condition has been observed more commonly in women who have reached early menopause or have menopaused. This condition is identified with decreased normal bone density, which is caused by loss of calcium and collagen. Osteoporosis is very common with women post 40. While women are four times more at risk than men but some men also suffer from osteoporosis.
 
Osteoporosis is a condition which causes the bones to become thin and weak, with a tendency to fracture easily. With osteoporosis, there is loss of vital minerals in the bone; mainly calcium, causing bones to become extremely brittle, which could result in a wrist, hip or spine, fracture.
Statistics shows that with almost one in 3 women over the age of 50 combating osteoporosis, along with one in 5 men.

To commemorate the occasion and spread the message of awareness Manipal Hospitals Bangalore is also organizing a poster exhibition for a week beginning October 20th 2010, to drive home the message that bones over 40 years of age need special care. Manipal Hospital is also providing a discounted consultation and investigation package to people beginning October 20th 2010 to November 20th 2010. The package includes Orthopedic Screening, Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD), Serum Calcium, Serum Phosphorus, Alkaline Phosphatase, Hemoglobin, ESR, and Random Blood Sugar.
 
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. R.D Chakravarty, HOD, Orthopaedic Department, Manipal Hospital says, “Osteoporosis is becoming a hugely distressing disease for people over the age 40 and above. Hence, World Osteoporosis Day is an apt day to emphasize the preventive measures and have more awareness in building and maintaining strong bones. We aim to prevent such disease through this package which will help us to detect the symptoms and prevalence of the disease. It is very important for everyone to be aware of the well being of their bones as they age.”
 
The prevalence of Osteoporosis is high in women compared to men. Osteoporosis can be treated by increasing the bone density by supplementing food with calcium and Vitamin D, regular exercises, Hormone Replacement Therapy and medicines.