World Osteoporosis Day – 20th October

World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) is observed on 20th October to raise global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Osteoporosis often is undiagnosed and untreated. A person may not be aware that she or he has Osteoporosis until a fracture occurs. It is estimated that 39% of women around the age of 65 suffer from osteoporosis, a figure which rises to up to 70% for those aged 80 and over.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) organizes the annual World Osteoporosis Day was launched in 1998. Osteoporosis was not officially acknowledged and defined as a disease by the WHO until 1994. Since its foundation, IOF has led the osteoporosis movement in increasing knowledge and awareness of the disease among all stakeholders worldwide. It is the world’s largest non-governmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease where the bones develop thin and lost their strength as the bones developed less dense and brittle – leading to broken bones.

How does Osteoporosis develop?

Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than the body can replace them, causing a loss of bone thickness (bone density or mass). Osteoporosis is a growing global problem that respects no boundaries: worldwide, fractures affect one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can be life-threatening and a major cause of pain and long-term disability.

If you are inactive, smoke, drink excessively or take medication such as steroids, these can all be contributing factors to bone weakness, meaning the likelihood of fractures is greater. Certain medical conditions like arthritis, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease can also increase the risk. If you have any of these conditions it is important that you get appropriate treatment which in turn will reduce the negative consequences on your bone health.

How to prevent having Osteoporosis disease?

Making some simple changes to your lifestyle and diet, with the proper combination of diet, exercise, therapy, and supplementation, osteoporosis is a preventable condition.

• Indulge in a healthy lifestyle and exercise, expose yourself to morning sunlight for just 10 minutes every day can help you to replenish and maintain Vitamin D levels in the blood.

• Consume sufficient vitamins, minerals, and a healthy diet (rich in calcium; and adequate vitamin D). Have more fresh fruits, colored vegetables like capsicum, leafy greens, purple cabbage, and broccoli.

• Maintain an ideal weight for height so that the bones of your lower body do not have to bear the extra kilograms/pounds.

• It’s also important to avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and smoking because these can all damage bone health.

• If you are already suffering from Osteoporosis, arrange your house in such a way that you are not prone to falls and accidents. Avoid bending and excessive rotation of the spine.

• Avoid high-impact exercise and don’t live a sedentary life.

• Bone health concerns the entire family – ensure your family maintains a bone-healthy lifestyle.

How to get involved:

1. Subscribe to worldosteoporosisday.org/get-involved. This is free and you will receive monthly updates on the campaign and information regarding osteoporosis.

2. Download resources from the official website here and share them within your community and social media.

3. Sharing your story with worldosteoporosisday.org/patient-stories. This can help others relate and see that there are people going through the same issues they are facing.

Make a difference this World Osteoporosis Day! Join the campaign and spread the knowledge of Osteoporosis. We encourage people to be aware of the risk factors that could impact their bone health and understand what these risk factors are.

Love Your Bones….embrace an active lifestyle, calcium-rich foods, and vitamin D.

Suggested Read: Important Days In October