On October 20th, World Osteoporosis Day is celebrated, this day is dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention and treatment of the disease. This international day has been organized since 1997 by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), with the aim of raising awareness among the world's population of the importance of preventing the disease, which currently affects more than 500,000 Portuguese people in Portugal.
Osteoporosis is a disease that attacks the skeleton, characterized by decreased bone strength, making bones more vulnerable to fractures. Its origin lies in the imbalance between the cells responsible for producing bone substance, which impairs the normal cycle of bone renewal.
Osteoporosis is discovered through tests such as x-rays, blood tests or bone densitometry (DEXA), the latter being fundamental in the assessment of the disease, allowing bone density to be measured.
Being a silent disease, which most frequently attacks female people, over the age of 50, the main signs of osteoporosis are fractures, which can result in minimal trauma, and these fractures can occur in any bone in the body, being the most common in the hip, forearm, wrist and vertebrae.
Generally, Osteoporosis can be prevented and treated if you pay attention to certain risk factors, practicing weight-bearing exercises, an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, among others.