Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic disorder in older individuals especially women, said Dr. Alireza Khademolmaleh, internal medicine specialist.
Maximum bone strength and density is at the age of 20-25; gradually with increasing age, bone density lessens.
Prolonged use of corticosteroid medicines, smoking, severe emaciation and lack of timely treatment of conditions such as hyperthyroidism and kidney failure can also cause osteoporosis, Salamat news agency reported.
Silent Disease
Osteoporosis is a silent disease and may have no symptoms at first, but it can make individuals more prone to fractures even after a minor fall or bump.
Fortunately the disease can be prevented and the strategies include adequate use of calcium from early age, absorbing adequate Vitamin D through exposure of arms and legs to sunlight for approximately 20-30 minutes early morning or evening (not sunlight passing through window glass, which is ineffective), he stressed.
Also daily physical activity, receiving essential hormones in case of early menopause or removing ovaries, maintaining healthy weight and avoiding smoking can help prevent the disease.
