Osteoporosis prevention still challenge for Bulgaria

published on 10/20/09 12:57 PM

Osteoporosis is called “the quiet pandemics”. Its development runs without physical symptoms and the treatment takes long time and is expensive unless timely measures are taken. Due prevention of risk factors, modern diagnostics and medical treatment are some of the priorities of the campaign, organized for 10th consecutive year, devoted to 20 October 2009 – World Day of the fight against osteoporosis. This year’s slogan is “Remain tall and speak highly of your bones”. It betrays the fact that people developing osteoporosis lose their height with the years. The campaign’s organizers are Health Ministry, the association ‘Women without osteoporosis’ and regional health centers. During the campaign, medical cabinets for quick detection of osteoporosis have opened doors in 11 towns across the country.

“The check for osteoporosis is called osteo-density measurement,” says Dr. Nikolai Denev. “We have at our disposal ultrasound equipment which measures bone density of the heel. The check is really quick and absolutely painless and it detects changes in bone structure. The bone is a living tissue and from birth to death, there are two parallel processes going on in them – growing and dissolving. Up to 30-35 years, the processes of growing are prevalent and around that age, the bone structure is most robust. After that age, the process of dissolving of bones gradually begins to take over. That is particularly expressed with women, especially after the menopause when hormonal changes in the body occur. Over 80% of checked women between 60 – 65 years have their bones thinned. Timely checks allow for timely prevention. Adequate treatment is essential, however,” says Dr. Nikolai Denev.

Osteoporosis increases the risk of bone fractures in the spine, thighs and wrists, Dr. Denev points out. A major problem in Bulgaria is the fact that osteoporosis drugs are very expensive and most of the pensioners in the country who actually need them cannot afford to buy them. Another problem is the lack of detection equipment in the country. There are no precise figures about the number of osteoporosis-affected people in Bulgaria. The general aging of the population, observed elsewhere in Europe as well, suggests an increasing number of affected people. Unhealthy diet, low mobility and abuse of alcohol and cigarettes are only some of the factors contributing to that increase. It is not by chance that many doctors see osteoporosis as one of the most significant social and health problems.
Osteoporosis causes heavy disabilities and much suffering. The treatment which is very expensive proves a burden to the heath care system and it is a challenge. In a response of the plan to counter osteoporosis in EU adopted in Brussels in November 2003, Bulgaria too has adopted a national program seeking to curb osteoporosis and inform people of the risks. The high point of the program is prevention and the promotion of healthier ways of live.

English version: Delian Zahariev

По публикацията работи: Diana Hristakieva

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