OSPFI celebrates World Osteoporosis Day
THOUSANDS of Filipinos suffer from hip fractures caused by osteoporosis which can be prevented by an increased intake of calcium and Vitamin D, according to studies of medical doctor Miles dela Rosa.
“Osteoporosis is a problem sometimes ignored, but it’s a very big problem,” dela Rosa, past president of the Osteoporosis Society of the Philippines Foundation Inc. (OSPFI) and the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM), told TheManilaTimes.
“It is called a ‘ silent’ disease because you cannot feel that your bones are getting weaker,” PSEDM said in a statement.
To spread awareness about osteoporosis, the International Osteoporosis Foundation ( IFO), a Europe- based organization, set October 20 as World Osteoporosis Day which set the stage for a global campaign for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the ailment and metabolic bone disease.
Helping raise awareness on the ailment, the foundation celebrated World Osteoporosis Day at the Market! Market! mall in Taguig City on October 20.
During the event, Mark Sandoval, OSPFI secretary general and licensed endocrinologist, gave an overview of osteoporosis. Mark Zumaraga, a science research specialist from the Food Nutri- tion Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology, also gave a talk titled “Nutrition for Bone Health.”
as a condition where the bone becomes fragile that increases the chances of having a fracture. He added the “holes” inside the bones tend to become bigger when a person has osteoporosis.
Moreover, osteoporosis occurs more often in senior citizens, Sandoval noted. “Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men due to menopause,” he added.
Sandoval also said that at age 35, the bones are at its strongest state. Beyond that, they get weaker as a person ages. “People under 127 pounds are more prone to osteoporosis,” he added.
In his talk, Zumaraga emphasized the importance of nutrition by increasing the intake of foods rich in calcium, Vitamin D and other nutrients, along with taking food supplements, if needed.
“The most complicated case of osteoporosis is fracture in the spine, wrist or hip,” Sandoval said. “Of the three, the most dangerous fracture is on the hip — when this breaks, the patient wouldn’t be able to stand up anymore.”
“After a fracture, there can be many complications, including permanent disability and premature death,” PSEDM added.
The Bone Mineral Density Test and Osteoporosis Screening Tool were cited by Sandoval as the means for diagnosing osteoporosis.
“It is very, very important [to raise awareness],” dela Rosa said. “There has been a study that if you fracture once, you’re going to fracture two more times.”
A Zumba dance exercise concluded the event.