Fractures related to thinning of the bone up dramatically
September
28,
2009
Osteoporosis refers to thinning and weakening of the bone; this
raises the risk for serious and life threatening fractures of the hip
and spine. According to a recently published US government report the
number of Americans hospitalized for fractures related to thinning
bones has jumped substantially with a 55% increase over a ten-year
period. In 2006, 254,000 Americans were hospitalized because they had a
serious fracture related to the bone thinning condition osteoporosis
– with fractures of the spine and hip ranking high up among the
most common.
The researchers feel that the following could be part of the reason why there is a jump in injuries;
- aging of the population
- lack of exercise
- inadequate intake of Calcium and Vitamin D
- increased use of prescription drugs that contribute to thinning the bone including diuretics and proton pump inhibitors
The report out of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(AHRC) showed that 89% of brittle bone related hospital stays were in
women, and that adults over the age of 65 accounted for about 90% of
these stays.