Osteoporosis (osteo=bone and porosis=porous) is a disease in which the density and the quality of bone (i.e., Body Mass Index (BMI)) is reduced. As the bone become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture is greatly increased. There is a loss of bone “silently” and more progressively, with almost no symptoms of the diseases until the occurrence of the first fracture.
We know that with diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, supplements and drug therapies, osteoporosis is preventable. But still there are lots of myths and misconceptions associated with the disease.
Myth 1: Osteoporosis is just a natural part of ageing.
Not all people have osteoporosis as they age. By taking good care of the bones during the early years of life, everyone can minimize the risk of osteoporosis.
Myth 2: Only ladies have osteoporosis.
Even though it is more common in women, men can get osteoporosis too. Fortunately, osteoporosis is as preventable in men as it is in women.
Myth 3: Women of color don’t need to worry about osteoporosis.
Though the prevalence of osteoporosis is high in Caucasian and Asian women, African-American and Hispanic women should take preventive measures to stop the disease.
Myth 4: Men don’t suffer from osteoporosis.
Studies have shown the prevalence of osteoporosis in men is higher than previously thought, with one out of three men above the age of 50 experiencing the risk.
Myth 5: Osteoporosis is not a very serious or deadly condition; the worst that can happen is a broken bone.
For some people, recovering from these fractures is difficult or even impossible. In fact, many hip fracture patients over the age 50 die in the year following their fracture or require long-term care after their injury.
Myth 6: Only old people get Osteoporosis.
Though osteoporosis becomes visible only after the age of 50 years, it can be prevented by taking proper preventive steps in the early years of life.
Osteoporosis is seen in so many old people today because they didn’t know how preventable it was when they were younger. However, if the younger generation today start to improve their lifestyles and maintain healthy bones, less and less cases of osteoporosis can be seen.