[top: Exercising with weights helps maintain bone mass.]

ALTHOUGH osteoporosis is known to affect older persons, this silent disease can rear its ugly head on younger people too.

Known as secondary osteoporosis, this type of disease develops secondary to underlying medical problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, or even present as reactions from drugs such as steroids.

According to consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon Dr Lee Joon Kiong, the youngest osteoporosis sufferer he has treated was in his early 20s.

However, it's not all gloom and doom for osteoporosis sufferers as there's light at the end of the tunnel with treatment, diet and exercise.

Not many Malaysians know what osteoporosis is as they equate brittle bones with ageing. This is further complicated as people confuse osteoporosis pain with arthritis or even rheumatism.

Osteoporosis, which literally means "porous bones", is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. The loss of bones occurs "silently" and progressively.

"Osteoporosis presents with back pain, mainly at the thoracic region largely due to an underlying micro-fracture. It may also present with pain when someone sustains fracture. Then the pain will be very acute, associated with swelling and tenderness of the injured part," he said at the launch of B.O.N.E.S campaign by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare recently.

Many people, he added, do confuse osteoporosis with arthritis pain.

"Arthritis involves the affected joint. The joint might be stiff, warm, tender and there's a rough sound upon movement. Rheumatism pain, on the other hand, is more non-specific. It occurs around the soft tissues of our joints. It can be associated with swelling and tenderness as well," he explained.

To identify early osteoporosis pain, he said to watch for back pain, which can be aggravated by bending forward. "But, bear in mind, most of the patients with early osteoporosis are asymptomatic," he cautioned.

Osteoporosis isn't a gender specific disease. It can affect both male and female as they suffer from age related bone loss.

"However, it is compounded by oestrogen loss in women during menopause. After many years of neglecting the problem, the signs and symptoms become obvious in the elderly," he said.

Treatment, said Dr Lee, can help improve sufferers' bone mineral density and bone quality, which in turn reduces the risk of fracture.

Treatment also helps reduce current bone pain and improve its functional status. However, he heeded that the sufferers will not be able to regain the bone density they had when they are young.

Dr Lee's word of advice to sufferers is to reduce any risks of fractures occurring.

Exercise also improves muscle power, muscle tone, balance and co-ordination. Weight-bearing exercises are recommended, as they stimulate the bone formation process. All these, said Dr Lee, will reduce risks of falls.

"Osteoporosis can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake and exercising from young," he said. This early start allows one to achieve peak bone mass at around age 25.

For high-risk individuals, on the other hand, Dr Lee suggests early detection with DXA scan which allows early pharmacological intervention to maintain bone mass.

-The New Straits Times