Prof. Dr. Dwikora Novembri Utomo, dr., Sp.OT(K), an expert from the Faculty of Medicine (FK) Universitas Airlangga (Unair) reminded the importance of maintaining bone health from a young age. Because not only the elderly who can be affected by osteoporosis.
According to this expert who is also a member of the Indonesian Association of Orthopedic & Traumatology Specialists (PABOI), osteoporosis generally affects the elderly, but young people can also experience osteoporosis if they have the following risk factors:
Non-modifiable risk factors:
– Women, because in the elderly there is a decrease in levels of the hormone estrogen which fights in bone formation.
– Family history of osteoporosis (genetic)
– Certain races (Asian and Caucasian)
Modifiable risk factors:
– Unhealthy lifestyle such as lack of exercise
– Smoking
– Excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and soda
– Lack of calcium and vitamin D.
Furthermore, Prof. Dwikora – his nickname – conveyed how osteoporosis can happen to a person. Where under normal conditions, there is a balance between the process of bone formation and the process of dismantling bone.
Osteoporosis occurs when the process of bone disintegration is more dominant than the process of bone formation so that bone density becomes reduced.
“Osteoporosis can occur at any age, although osteoporosis is more common in old age where the process of bone formation is slower than the process of dismantling bones,” he said.
Thus, said Prof. Dwikora, it is important for someone to start “saving bones” at a young age because at a young age there is a peak in bone formation. With nutrition and a healthy lifestyle at a young age, we will have better bones to prepare for conditions in old age.
“Osteoporosis that occurs in old age is a natural process caused by the aging process, making it difficult to restore bone conditions to a normal state. What can be done is to slow down the rate of decline in bone density,” he said.
Prevention is better than cure, that’s the important tips conveyed by Prof. Dwikora when asked about the management of osteoporosis. According to him, the main treatment for someone with osteoporosis is to prevent osteoporosis from occurring.
In a Sufficient-Do-Avoid way:
1. Meet the needs of calcium, vitamin D, protein and other minerals
2. Perform regular physical activity, bask in the morning sun, and early detection if you have risk factors
3. Avoid bad habits such as: smoking, alcoholic beverages, excessive caffeine, strict diets
If osteoporosis has occurred, then the rules are:
1. Recognize and overcome the causes of osteoporosis suffered because osteoporosis can be caused by many factors and diseases
2. Drugs to reduce excessive bone breakdown such as bisphosphonates
3. Treat complications of osteoporosis that occur, such as fractures.(ipg)
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