Govt declares osteoporosis month

Govt declares osteoporosis month

JAKARTA: The government has decided to dedicate the period
between Sept. 20 and Oct. 20 to people with osteoporosis, a
government official said on Monday.

"During the period, the government will disseminate more
information on the threat of osteoporosis in order to increase
people's awareness of the silent disease," director of basic
medical and orthodontic services at the Ministry of Health,
Guntur Bambang Hamurnowo, said.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and
deterioration of bone tissue, leading to enhanced bone fragility
and a consequent increase in fracture risk. The majority of
people who get osteoporosis are elderly women, whose bodies
produce less of the hormone estrogen after menopause.

However, routine exercise, a balanced diet with enough intake
of calcium, refraining from smoking and drinking alcohol and
caffeine could help a person reach the maximum mass of bones,
thus avoiding osteoporosis. --JP