The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, OCT 20, 2022
Osteoporosis is a common problem after the age of 50 years. It is most commonly seen in postmenopausal women because of estrogen hormone deficiency. About 30% of patients are affected because of osteoporosis after 50 years. Osteoporosis incidence has increased in the post-Covid era because of rampant steroid use, said experts on occasion of “World Osteoporosis Day” celebration today at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
To mark the occasion and raise awareness among people, the Department of Orthopaedics, AIIMS Bhubaneswar today organised a public awareness campaign in the OPD premises. The event was inaugurated by the Medical Superintendent Prof. Sachidananda Mohanty and Dean Prof. Prashant Raghav Mahapatra.
There is low bone mass in osteoporosis and it is usually evaluated by a DEXA scan that measures the bone mineral density. All postmenopausal women and elderly men should undergo yearly BMD estimation using DEXA scan, said Medical Superintendent Dr. Mohanty.
Osteoporosis may lead to back pain, knee pain and can cause fracture after trivial fall. People should do regular exercise and take proper diet and medication to prevent osteoporosis. The elderly patients should be supplemented with calcium and vitamin D. If osteoporosis is detected they should be treated under doctor guidance, informed Dean Dr. Mahapatra.
Dr Sujit Kumar Tripathy, Additional Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics spoke about the importance of public awareness about this silent epidemic. He said that women after the age of 50 years are vulnerable to have osteoporosis and they should undergo regular bone mineral density (BMD) estimation.
Dr Gunjar Jain, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Orthopaedics, talked about “What is osteoporosis”, while Assistant Professor Dr. Gurudip Das talked on “How to prevent falls in the elderly”. Dr. Hrudeswar Behera talked about “lifestyle modification to combat osteoporosis”.
Dr. Sayantan Ray, Assistant professor, Dept. of Endocrinology, spoke on “Fracture risk estimation” and Dietician Soumya Sucharita Prusty talked about “How to prevent Osteoporosis by taking appropriate diet”.
Around 300 people attended the event and underwent free BMD check-up. Out of them 78 were found to have reduced bone mineral density and appropriate treatment was provided to them.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Prof. Ashutosh Biswas congratulated the Orthopaedic Department for their endeavours to raise public awareness about this serious health issue.
