Columbia Asia Hospital organizes health awareness session on ‘Osteoporosis vs. Osteoarthritis’ for the members of Income Tax Association, Ghaziabad
Bone Mineral Density tests and Random Blood Sugar (RBS) and Blood Pressure (BP) check-ups were conducted during the session
Ghaziabad, 27th January, 2017: At 38 years of age, Pratibha (name changed), a housewife had been suffering from pain and stiffness in one of her knees. Diagnostic investigations revealed that her knee joint was turning arthritic due to cartilage depletion and resembled the knee of a 60 year old.
Truth be told, Pratibha is not an one off case! A significant number of Indian women and older adults, especially in urban and semi-urban areas today are suffering from the twin hazards of poor bone health and early onset of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Osteoporosis is usually an age-related loss of bone density that makes bones brittle and prone to fractures, so that even a mild fall or injury may result in a fracture. On the other hand, osteoarthritis is a joint and cartilage-related disorder that occurs when the cartilage at the ends of our bones wears away mostly due to aging.
In an attempt to raise awareness regarding management of disorders of bone and joint disorders and educate patients about osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, Columbia Asia Hospitals, Ghaziabad, today conducted a first-of-its kind health awareness activity at the hospital premises on the topic ‘Osteoporosis vs. Osteoarthritis’.
More than 30 members of the local Income Tax association participated on the occasion and received the opportunity to receive specialized diagnosis and one-on-one consultation from expert orthopedicians.
Speaking at the event, doctors at Columbia Asia Hospitals, Ghaziabad also noted that the incidence of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in women under 50 has markedly increased over the past 10 years.
“Osteoarthritis is the age-related wear and tear of the joints that affects the whole joint including bone, cartilage, ligament, and even the surrounding muscles. In the advanced stage, it is characterized by loss of the cartilage which makes it difficult for patients to perform their daily normal tasks including walking, working in the kitchen, or performing basic household chores. Unlike osteoporosis which is a condition where our bones become fragile and brittle, symptoms of osteoarthritis vary from person to person. While both diseases may tend to limit mobility, the ways of treatment are quite different,” said Dr. Ashutosh Jha, Consultant – Orthopedics, Columbia Asia Hospitals, Ghaziabad.
A range of factors are making people in metro cities and city suburbs prone to bone and joint disorders including low intake of calcium, low sun exposure, lack of physical exercise, obesity and sedentary habits. However, probably the most worrisome risk factors are the increase in smoking and alcohol consumption, especially among women, noted doctors.
“Bone loss is a silent condition which generally occurs slowly over a long period. Speaking generally, both of these conditions can be exacerbated due to excessive weight and lack of physical exercise. While the primary risk factors of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis look more or less similar, including lack of physical activity, inadequate diet, poor bone health and vitamin D deficiency, it is important to underline that the symptoms and clinical outcomes of these two types of disorders can vary significantly, and this is why accurate diagnosis on time becomes all the more important. Again, it is important to understand that lifestyle-related factors for both these diseases are all modifiable and can be overcome with a little willpower,” adds Dr Jha.
Clinical evidence suggests a downward shift in the age threshold of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in India. The treatment plan for both usually involves a combination of medication, exercise, weight management, and physiotherapy. However, individuals suffering from osteoarthritis and osteoporosis at the same time should seek specialized medical attention and stress on safe exercises prescribed by experts.
The enlightening 3-hour-long medical talk by experts was preceded by specialized bone density tests (BMD), and blood pressure (BP), and random blood sugar (RBS) check-ups.
“A bone mineral density test is an advance form of X-ray technique used to measure the amount of minerals in our bones and is significant to detect the risk of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in adults as per the criteria set by WHO. On the other hand, high levels of blood pressure and sugar may lead to hypertension or obesity, which can again aggravate or worsen several bone and joint conditions,” informs Dr Jha.
The department of Orthopedics at Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic services for the management of disorders of bones, joints, and associated structures. Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad is a premier multispecialty healthcare facility dedicated to the residents of Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas, and had been conducting health talks and medical camps at regular intervals.
About Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.
Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. is the only company in India to utilize 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) route in the hospital sector.
About Columbia Asia Group of Companies
The Columbia Asia Group is owned by more than 150 private equity companies, fund management organizations and individual investors. The group currently operates eleven facilities in India and has presence in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Kolkata, Mysore, Patiala and Pune. The company also operates hospitals in Malaysia (11), Vietnam (3), and Indonesia (3). The Indian management operations are managed from its office in Bangalore.