Silent epidemic of osteoporosis
No visible signs of osteoporosis lose bone density, becoming more porous and thus more fragile, causing frequent fractures. The main problem in this disease is that it does not manifest until yet begin to break a bone. The most commonly broken vertebrae (again, without any symptoms, no pain, and they are found, as a rule, by chance, the X-ray image taken on a completely different subject), wrist and hip joints as a result of a fall. Sometimes, however, and osteoporosis are its symptoms. Chicharro Carmen (Carmen Chicharro), which currently heads the Spanish Association of osteoporosis (Aecos), explains that in this case, they manifest themselves in the form of acute or chronic (more than six months) of pain, curvature of the spine (kyphosis progressive, better known as gibbosity) and growth reduction ...
They are observed primarily in the lower part of the spine and upper lumbar vertebrae.
Each time we learn about the disease more and more, however, it is still unclear. For example, it is considered to be exclusively female. It turns out that this is not the case. A few years ago it was recognized that men suffer from it, and even children.
At the age of 18 and 40-50 years old fractures result in a more severe in men than in women. Most often there are fractures of the pelvis, humerus, elbow and thigh. Then, the trend is changing, and after menopause fractures occur more often in women - warns Chicharro.
For example, hip fractures occur in women twice as often than men. The consequences of fractures caused by minor injuries, particularly the spine and pelvis, and significantly worse with age due to the fact that the bone becomes more brittle. For unknown reasons, in recent years the consequences of hip fracture in men compounded faster than women.
As pointed out by the World Health Organization, we are dealing with a silent epidemic in respect of which it is possible to take preventive measures (not overcome) and limit its effects. According to the Spanish Association of Rheumatology (SER), in Spain, 2.5 million women and 500,000 men suffer from this disease. And in Europe, according to the report, Osteoporosis in the European Union» (Osteoporosis in the European Union) and Statistical data on osteoporosis in Europe» (Scorecard for osteoporosis in Europe), presented April 17, 2013 in Rome, now in the EU suffer from osteoporosis 22 million women and 5.5 million men.
What is the solution? At the last congress of the Spanish Association of Rheumatology, held in Tenerife in May 2013, presented the results of the drug Denosumab. Dr. Antonio Centeno (Antonio Gomez Centeno), chief of rheumatology at Barcelona's Hospital Chiron (Quiron), said that the drug is a monoclonal antibody that prevents osteoclast formation, that is, cells that contribute to bone loss and thus causing fractures . At the meeting, experts also presented the results of clinical trials Odanacatib, a potent inhibitor of the reversible action, which is seen as a possible means of osteoporosis. Some progress there, but the problem has not yet been overcome.
As explained Chicharro themselves knowledge about this disease is already the greatest achievement: When I was examined about 40 years ago, most experts do not have the necessary knowledge to take preventive measures to diagnose and treat. It came to the point that during the hysterectomy, causes premature menopause with all its consequences, the patient is not assigned to any treatment for the prevention of osteoporosis.
Aecos next president recalls a funny story that clearly illustrates the lack of any knowledge about the disease among the population: During the TV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire was asked: What is osteoporosis, as well as answer options offered are: a) disease bones, b) and insect) art style. Bidder chose answer b) an insect. Now, fortunately for all - both doctors and patients - the situation has changed, conducted numerous studies on the causes of osteoporosis and the development of measures to prevent it.
Yet, the required equipment is still insufficient. In public health clinics do not have enough densitometers - devices that measure bone density. In our country, it is estimated that there are 232 of such a device, that is, to 30 per million in a state of post-menopausal women who most often manifested by the disease.
It turns out that osteoporosis can be achieved only after the first fracture - concludes Chicharro.
Why do I get osteoporosis? By virtue of the laws of nature. Dr.
Centeno Gomez (Gomez Centeno) reminds us that after the maximum number of bone mass begins its natural decline. This process usually takes place slowly and lasts a lifetime. And women experience it more difficult because of the nature of their metabolism in bone tissue. First of all, bone mass they usually less than men. Moreover, after menopause, when the ovaries stop producing female hormones in some women, the process of reduction of bone tissue can grow rapidly, which may cause post-menopausal osteoporosis.
However, in the elderly, and other forms having osteoporosis. Angiologist Norberto Galindo Planas (Norberto Galindo-Planas) explains this by saying that the aging of the organism and its attendant breach absorption of vitamin D, for other reasons, though not as severe, is receiving such drugs as cortisone, endocrine disorders, rheumatic inflammatory disease, blood disease, liver and addictions, in particular abuse of alcohol.
Silent Epidemic; The Untold Story Of Vaccines
Trailer for Silent Epidemic; The Untold Story Of Vaccines. Including a lecture with Dr. Gary Null at the Ethical Cultural Society premiere opening, September 12, 2013. Also, the panel discussion with Suzanne Humphries M.D., Mary Holland, J.D., Eva Vanameer, Ph.D., and host Richard Gale.
