Doctors say physical exercise and proper diet reduces the risk of osteoporosis that can lead to bone fracture.
“It’s a silent epidemic,” President of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh Prof AK Azad Khan said as the disease itself has no symptoms.
“It develops silently before people become aware of it,” he said.
There is no nationwide study on osteoporosis but a small Dhaka-based study indicates that at least one percent of the total population in Bangladesh suffers osteoporosis in their lifetime.
“Everyone has to be aware of it from the very early age,” said Prof M Nazrul Islam of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) speaking at a press conference on Saturday before the World Osteoporosis Day on Oct 20.
Prof Islam is also the General Secretary of Bangladesh Rheumatology Society that organised the press briefing.
He stressed on physical exercise and balanced diet.
The slogan of this year’s global celebration is ‘real men build their strength from within’.
In osteoporosis, a patient’s bone mass and density reduce, leading to an increased risk of fracture. It is common in women after menopause.
However, growing aged population, socio-economic changes, lack of awareness and poor nutrition mean that the number of osteoporosis cases and bone fracture is rising.
It is also known as one of the most neglected diseases in Bangladesh.
Its prevention remained ignored.
Prof Islam said the annual celebration mostly highlights its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, globally 30 percent to 50 percent of women and 15 percent to 30 percent of men are likely to suffer a fracture related to osteoporosis in their lifetime.
Osteoporotic fractures can take a heavy toll on quality of life as such patients have to stay more in hospitals than many other diseases like heart attack and diabetes.
