It mainly affects women after menopause. In men, however, it can cause more serious complications because, generally, we tend to discover it later, in a more advanced stage.
Many people live for years with diseases they don’t even know they have. Because symptoms take time to appear, diagnosis ends up being late, which jeopardizes treatment. These are the so-called silent diseases, which evolve imperceptibly, without making any noise, but, when they appear, they can generate serious complications. An example of this is osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a reduction in bone mass and affects between 10 and 15 million Brazilians, according to estimates by the Ministry of Health, based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO). It mainly affects women after menopause, due to the decline in levels of the female hormone, estrogen. In men, however, it can cause more serious complications because, generally, the disease tends to be discovered later, in a more advanced stage.
“Bone has a consistency, a density, a hardness. Over time it loses it and becomes fragile”has explained Marco Antonio Rocha Lourespresident of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology. “If you suffer from an inflammatory disease – such as rheumatic disease, for example – or another such as diabetes or asthma, these bones lose even more calcium, becoming more fragile. And some drugs also reduce this bone hardness, such as corticosteroids and anticoagulants. Osteoporosis is this bone fragility that leads to fracture.”
In an interview with Agência Brasil, during the Brazilian Congress of Rheumatology, which will take place until Saturday (7) in Goiânia (GO), Loures stated that in men the incidence of osteoporosis is generally lower than in women. However, he pointed out, men can also develop the disease. And the aggravating factor is that, in general, men tend to delay seeking treatment.
“Man, in general, is more resistant [a procurar um médico]. From adolescence, women use medical services more than men. But fortunately this is changing, society is changing”he underlined.
One of the problems with seeking medical attention afterward is the fact that the disease progresses. As a result, treatment may be compromised. “I always make this comparison between a candle and a flame. If it’s just one candle, you put it out quickly. But if that candle causes a flame in the room, it becomes harder to put out. If the whole house catches fire, it becomes even harder to put out [a chama]. And this causes even more damage. If you have a small joint, it is easier to treat. But if you have two or three rods [com problemas]it becomes more difficult”he exemplified. “Multiple parts or organs of the body [comprometidas]the more difficult the treatment”He added.
For the president of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology, this is why it is important that the diagnosis is made early. “If a 35-year-old woman has a fracture, she should research why she broke that bone, to find out if it was just a fall, a trauma or if she has an underlying disease, which could be due a lack of female hormones or an associated chronic disease”declared
The same goes for men. “If you have a fracture before the age of 70, you should consult a rheumatologist, an endocrinologist or even an orthopedist to perform bone densitometry. It is also necessary to analyze whether you are taking drugs that lead to bone loss, such as corticosteroids or whether you smoke or drink a lot of alcohol below, he should consult a doctor beforehand. If he also does not exercise, he should consult a doctor beforehand.”He explained.
Loures recalled that treatment for osteoporosis is accessible to all through the Unified Health System (SUS). And that people can prevent the disease by avoiding cigarette use, maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in physical activity. “Today we have measures not only to treat the disease, but also to prevent it. If you don’t treat the disease, it progresses. And even sometimes by treating it, it can progress, but with less intensity. If you don’t treat it, if you don’t treat it, it progresses much further, leading to fractures and unpleasant consequences.”
*The journalist traveled at the invitation of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
