Beware the 'thief in the night', warn doctors<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Doctors urged the public, especially women above
\n45-years-old, to be more alert to the dangers of osteoporosis,
\nthe prevalency of which is believed to be rising among the
\nIndonesian population.<\/p>\n
Osteoporosis is a corrosion of the bones which causes the
\nskeleton to become more spongy and easily broken. It is caused by
\na drop in calcium levels and bone density due to the effects of
\nold age.<\/p>\n
Women who have reached menopause are particularly vulnerable
\nas during that period the estrogen hormone, which helps supply
\ncalcium, no longer functions.<\/p>\n
While men are also prone to the disease, their numbers are
\nbelieved to be fewer as bone corrosion does not occur until a
\nmuch later age.<\/p>\n
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), an
\norganization under the supervision of World Health Organization
\n(WHO), says that some 200 million women all over the world suffer
\nfrom osteoporosis.<\/p>\n
The number is estimated to accelerate in accordance with
\nhigher life expectancy.<\/p>\n
Although precise data of osteoporosis patients in Indonesia is
\nnot available, doctors estimate that the prevalence is quite
\nhigh.<\/p>\n
\"There are some 2,000 recorded cases of osteoporosis in our
\ncenter alone,\" said Irhamsjah A. Rachman, obstetrics and
\ngynecology specialist from Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital,
\non Friday.<\/p>\n
He was speaking at an event marking Oct. 20 as Indonesian
\nOsteoporosis Day, in conjunction with World Osteoporosis Day.<\/p>\n
The event was officially opened on Friday by Minister of
\nHealth and Social Welfare Achmad Sujudi.<\/p>\n
According to Irhamsjah, the probability of osteoporosis in
\nIndonesia was also rising due to increased life expectancy.<\/p>\n
Currently life expectancy for women here is put at between
\n67.5 to 70 years-old, while for men it is 65.<\/p>\n
\"In 2010, life expectancy will increase by 8.2 percent to 70-
\n75 years old for women. Therefore women should be aware of the
\ndisease,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The stature of Indonesian women, he added, who are relatively
\nsmaller than Western women, also contributes to the higher risk.<\/p>\n
\"Overweight women have an advantage because the fat in their
\nbody produces substances which help protect bones through a
\nchemical reaction,\" Irhamsjah said.<\/p>\n
While age and hormones are the main causes, Irhamsjah said
\nthat there are cases where women below 30 also suffer from
\nosteoporosis.<\/p>\n
Osteoporosis, he added, is often dubbed \"a thief in the night\"
\nbecause of its unclear symptoms.<\/p>\n
\"Sometimes people think that it's because they're too tired,\"
\nIrhamsjah said, adding that some hospitals now have the equipment
\nto detect the disease.<\/p>\n
\"There are also some medicines for the disease, although
\nosteoporosis can't be 100 percent cured,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The important thing is to prevent the disease, Irhamsjah said,
\nthrough good nutrition -- especially calcium intake, being
\nphysically active, exposure to sunlight, and exercise.<\/p>\n
\"Cigarettes and alcohol consumption also increase the risk.
\nAnd be careful of consuming asthma and hormonal medicine as it
\nincreases the chance of developing spongy bones,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Healthy levels of calcium consumption are different for
\ndifferent ages.<\/p>\n
Doctors suggest an intake of at least 1,300 milligrams of
\ncalcium per day for those aged nine to 18 years old; 1,000
\nmilligrams per day for ages 19 to 50; 1,200 milligrams for people
\nolder than 51 years old; and 1,000 to 1,300 for pregnant women or
\nwomen who breastfeed their babies.<\/p>\n
Calcium can be obtained from milk and green vegetables.<\/p>\n
\"But there are people who suffer from lactose intolerance and
\nget diarrhea after drinking milk. For these people, they can
\nsubstitute milk with calcium tablets,\" he said. (09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/beware-the-thief-in-the-night-warn-doctors-1447893297",
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