DR. Jibril Abdullahi an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, has said that lack of calcium in the body causes osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a health challenge that makes bone thinner and fragile
He told newsmen in Abuja that osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bone structure and its strength due to lack of bone density.
Abdullahi said that this condition affects both sex, even young people, stressing that women have the higher risk of developing the condition.
He explained that women gradually lose bone density from age 35, adding that it affects older people more, especially menopausal women.
According to him, women loose bone because of the hormone changes that occur during menopause which affect the bone density directly.
He added that after menopause, the estrogen level falls which could lead to rapid decrease in bone density of a woman.
“Women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis if they have early menopause before the age of 45.
“Removal of the womb before age 45 and also if the ovaries are removed could increase the development of the condition.
“Lack of menses for more than six months due to much of exercise or over dieting could boost the risk of developing osteoporosis in women.
“Over reactive thyroid gland, reduced amount of sex hormones and over activity of the parathyroid gland could also pose the risk of osteoporosis
“Family history, body mass index (BMI) of 19 or less, and eating disorder such as anorexia could contribute to the development of the condition,’’ he said.
Abdullahi stated that heavy drinking of alcohol, smoking and some medications used in treating breast cancer which affect the hormones could result to osteoporosis.
He said that lifestyle plays an important role on how healthy the bones of a patient would be, adding that healthy diet and daily exercise was important.
“Consumption of calcium, foods enriched in vitamin D could reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis.
“Limitation of alcohol intake and non-smoking helps in combating osteoporosis in patients.
“Eating a healthy balanced diet is key in preventing osteoporosis,’’ Abdullahi said.
The physician said that treatment of osteoporosis could start with knowing the patient’s age, previous injury history and as well as reducing the risk of further fractures.
He said that increasing the bone density and stopping the mineral loss and as well as preventing bone fractures helps in treating osteoporosis.
He enjoined patients susceptible with the condition to perform weight bearing exercise such as walking, climbing of stairs and also maintaining a normal body weight to help treat the condition.
Besides, the physician advised that patients with the condition that have a fracture should seek the help of a specialist.
He stressed that it was necessary for patients to consume doctors recommended dose of calcium and vitamin D to treat osteoporosis.
