Worldwide attack on silent disease

With World Osteoporosis Day just around the corner on October 20th, it is essential that we raise awareness of this degenerative condition and the means of identifying it.

One in two women and one in three men suffer some type of osteoporosis related fracture in their life, yet this sometimes deadly disease can be detected with a simple heel ultrasound.Known as a silent disease because there are no initial symptoms, correct and early diagnosis of osteoporosis is essential. A heel ultrasound is a simple affordable test used to pre-screen women and men to determine if a more thorough DXA (dual-energy xray absorptiometry) is required.All women over 45 years of age should obtain a Heel Ultrasound and those most susceptible to the condition include people with rheumatoid arthritis, low dietary calcium intake and those who smoke or have an increased alcohol intake.People who’ve had fractures through minimal trauma are also at increased risk of osteoporosis as are women who have had early menopause.Hip fractures in women are more common than cancer of the breast, cervix and uterus combined and more than 50% of patients with a hip fracture are severely disabled 6 months after the fracture.Australians should incorporate the key elements of good nutrition, healthy lifestyle, exercise and hormones in order to prevent the onset of this terrible condition. Contact your local pharmacist to see when the next testing date is scheduled in your area.(Source: Osteoporosis Screening Australia: September 2005.)