What is Osteoporosis? Whom does it affect? What causes it? Who is at a greater risk? What are the possible treatments available today? These were just some of the many questions that were answered by Dr Ahmed al Saidi, Senior Consultant Rheumatologist, Muscat Private Hospital, at a CME conducted at Crowne Plaza Muscat Hotel recently.
Dr Ahmed informed that Osteoporosis occurs when the bones become weak and tend to break. He further explained that although anyone could develop osteoporosis, it was much more common among older women and on an average as many as half of all women and a quarter of men older than 50 break a bone due to osteoporosis.
Dr Ahmed avered, "Osteoporosis, which means 'porous bones,' causes bones to become weak and brittle, so even mild stress like bending, lifting a vacuum cleaner or coughing can cause a fracture. In most cases, bones become weak when you have low levels of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in your bones."
He continued, "A common result of osteoporosis is fractures, most of them in the spine, hip or wrist. Although it's often thought of as a women's disease, osteoporosis also affects many men as well. To keep bones strong, it is best to consume a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercise and do not smoke. If needed, medicines can also help."
He stressed that vertebral (spine) and hip fractures were far more common and serious as compared to a wrist fracture. Vertebral fractures result in serious consequences, including loss of height, intense back pain and deformity. Hip fractures almost always require surgery and often results in loss of independent living, in addition to significant morality rate. Osteoporosis is a condition that can be prevented or at least its effect can be minimised with appropriate measures from childhood.
Gerard Strong, Hospital Director, Muscat Private Hospital said, "Osteoporosis is a silent disease. You might not know you have it until you break a bone. A bone mineral density test is the best way to check your bone health. It's never too late or too early to do something about osteoporosis. You can take steps to keep bones strong and healthy throughout life."
Dr. Ahmed graduated from Glasgow University and obtained the Membership of the Royal College of Physician (MRCP) in 1993 and became a fellow of the Royal College in 2003. He currently works as a senior consultant Rheumatologist and is Head of the Medical Division at the Royal Hospital.
Muscat Private Hospital is Muscat's premier private medical facility. Strategically located in Baushar, the Hospital provides first-class out-patient and in-patient facilities and all the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of an acute care hospital, including CT and MRI. The CT scan is a 64 slice volume CT which has capability for CT Cardiac Angiography, CT Colonoscopy, Lung Imaging, and Neurological Imaging. Our new range of services includes Women's Health Services, Executive Health Screening, Critical Care Unit and ER, making the hospital a one-stop shop, convenient and accessible to our patients. The hospital is the first facility in Oman to provide cardiac surgery services. The hospital is managed by UME Group, an international hospital management group with more than 27 years experience in the Middle East and the UK. For more information, please call 2458 3600.
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© Press Release 2008
