Berlin (OTS) – Osteoporosis not only affects about 6.3 million people in Germany, but also has long-term consequences for those affected:[1] One in three women over 50 and one in five women with osteoporosis have a fracture.[2] If you know your fracture risk, you can discuss this with your doctor. It is important to consider whether bone-strengthening measures or, if necessary, drug therapy makes sense.
Bones are in a constant remodeling process in which old bone material is replaced by new.[3] In osteoporosis, the relationship between bone formation and bone loss is disturbed. Due to the loss of bone material, bones lose their strength and usually break in the event of an innocuous fall or a slightly strong load.[3]
Opportunities for early diagnosis
Early detection of osteoporosis and bone strengthening measures are important to prevent fractures. The latter are not only painful but can lead to permanent impairment of quality of life and restrictions on freedom and movement.[4]
A new app called “Osteoporosis Risk Knowledge” can help assess individual risk of fracture (bone fracture). The Professional Society for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery (BVOU) developed this app for physicians and healthcare professionals, but also for use by patients. You can download it for free from the Android or Apple app stores. Important: Always discuss the results with your doctor, this is the only way to carry out further tests at an early stage. For example, this includes measuring bone density (DXA measurement), which can be used to detect the early stages of osteoporosis and the risk of fractures.[5]
Strengthens bones and prevents fractures
Even after diagnosis, the most important tips for strong bones are: stay active, eat a diet rich in calcium and get enough vitamin D. Gymnastics and strength training are great for strengthening bones. Calcium is an important building block for the stability of the entire skeleton. If calcium is deficient, the bones become porous and unstable.[6] Vitamin D is needed for calcium to be absorbed into the bones. 80 to 90% are formed in the skin during sun exposure.[7] During the spring, summer, and fall, regular exposure to the outdoors can ensure adequate vitamin D production.[8] Depending on the results of the examination, the doctor may prescribe drug therapy in addition to these basic measures.[9]
More information about the Osteoporosis Action Alliance, BONE.STARK.MACHER, osteoporosis and sports exercises to do at home, delicious recipes to cook, other downloadable materials and a link to the new BVOU app “Osteoporosis Risk. Knowledge” can be found at www aktionsbündnis-osteoporose.de ( can be found at http://www.xn--aktionsbndnis-osteoporose-mwc.de).
DEU-NP-0424-80004
Evidence
[1] Hadji P, Klein S, Goethe H, et al. The Epidemiology of Osteoporosis – Bone Assessment Study. Analysis of routine health insurance data. Dtsch Ärztebl Int. 2013;110(4):52-57
[2] Borgström F, Karlsson L, Ortsäter, et al. Fragility fractures in Europe: burden, human age and prospects. Arch osteoporosis. 2020;15(1):59
[3] https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/patients/about-osteoporosis (accessed March 25, 2024)
[4] Ceriolo B, Paulino S, Casabella A, et al. Osteoporosis in the elderly. Aging Clin Express Res. 2013,25(1):27-29
[5] https://www.osd-ev.org/osteoporose/bone density measurement (Accessed: March 25, 2024)
[6] https://www.dge.de/gesunde-ernaehrung/faq/calcium (Accessed: March 25, 2024)
[7] https://www.dge.de/gesunde-ernaehrung/faq/vitamin-d/#c3078 (Accessed: March 25, 2024)
[8] https://www.bfs.de/DE/themen/opt/uv/effekt/akut/vitamin-d.html (Accessed: March 25, 2024)
[9] DVO guideline 2023: Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men; Retrieved from https://register.awmf.org/de/leitlinien/detail/183-001 (Accessed: March 25, 2024)
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Your contacts: Birgit Dickoré, Barbara Kluge and Dorit Harms
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