BY PURVI RADIA | NT NETWORK

The health conscious often worry about their bone density. Various myths surround osteoporosis. Orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Deep Bhandare is all set to bust them at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula.

He will be speaking at an interactive session which is part of the International Centre’s health series talk. It will be held on July 31 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The talks are being held in association with the Manipal Hospital, Goa.

Dr Bhandare says that many associate osteoporosis with women. Osteoporosis is a normal part of ageing. Some think it is a disease of recent times, but Dr Bhandare corrects this misunderstanding saying that it existed even in pre-historic times and is seen in the bones of Egyptian mummies. “There are a few who feel the bones will break easily. Such notion arise from articles in women magazines. The way the articles are presented creates panic among readers. The fact being that half-truth and market forces have created a fear psychosis among women just to sell drugs,” explains Dr Bhandare.

He says, “These market forces hold osteoporosis detection camps in association with NGOs on the pretext of detecting osteoporosis. This is a big fraud,” Further saying, “these camp holders might not be doctors but just technicians. They prescribe medicines which may not be advisable.”  

Osteoporosis is indicative of post-menopausal factors in women in the age group of 45 to 60. In men it is seen in those over the age of 75, informs the orthopaedic surgeon.  Osteoporosis characterised by low bone mass is not genetically transferable. He says, “The right method for scanning for osteoporosis is by using a DEXA scan which is not available in Goa yet.”

Then again it is a myth to say that calcium supplements are the key to increasing bone density says Dr Bhandare emphasising there are many other factors other than calcium necessary for strengthening bone density. In the same way, taking vitamin D is simply not enough. Vitamin D only acts as a supplement to Calcium.

A few doctors sometimes advise hormone replacement but this treatment has its own demerits. He explains that such treatments can cause cancer of uterus, cancer of breast, etc. It should be done under strict supervision of a doctor with regular follow ups and check ups recommends Dr Bhandare.

Dairy products do help in preventing osteoporosis. Knowing that people often monitor their bone density by getting X-rays done, Dr Bhandare says, “Newer machines have got many safeguards and as a result radiation hazards are negligible, provided the use is limited to one X-ray, once in a while, for a definite purpose.”

Risk factors related to osteoporosis are alcohol, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and steroids. Sometime hormonal imbalance due to chemotherapy can cause osteoporosis in men. Women are also prone to osteoporosis at an early age if the uterus is removed.

Many mistake osteoarthritis with osteoporosis. These are two separate terms which have different meanings. “Osteoporosis affects all the bone while osteoarthritis affects mainly weight bearing joints.”

Dr Bhandare concludes, “A bone is a living tissue which is exposed to a continuous re-modelling process (some part of the bone is destroyed and some created). During one’s early years the bone formation is greater than bone destruction. It is only on attaining menopause that the bone formation decreases and bone destruction increases resulting in a decrease in our bone density.”