Médico Express specialist warns about osteoporosis, a silent disease that weakens the bones
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- On World Osteoporosis Day, orthopaedic surgeon Marielena Martínez, of Médico Express, recalls that the disease gives no symptoms until a fracture occurs and that it can be detected with a bone density scan.
Santo Domingo, D.R. – To mark World Osteoporosis Day, Dr Marielena Martínez, an orthopaedic surgeon at Médico Express, highlights the importance of preventing and detecting early a disease that affects millions of people around the world.
According to the specialist, “it is a disease that weakens the bones, making them more fragile and prone to fracture. It is called ‘silent’ because it gives no symptoms until a fracture occurs.”
Among the main risk factors, Dr Martínez mentions “advanced age, the menopause, a sedentary lifestyle, low intake of calcium and vitamin D, smoking, alcohol and family history.”
On the role of nutrients in bone health, she stresses that “both are essential: calcium strengthens the bone and vitamin D allows it to be properly absorbed. Without vitamin D, calcium goes to waste.”
On diagnosis, she explains that “the diagnosis is made with a bone density scan, which measures the mineral density of the bone. Risk factors and vitamin D levels are also assessed.”
As for treatments, she notes that they “include calcium and vitamin D supplements, antiresorptive or anabolic medicines, supervised physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits.”
The specialist warns that someone who goes untreated may face “fragility fractures, especially in the spine, hip and wrist, which can lead to chronic pain, disability or loss of independence.”
On prevalence, Dr Martínez says it “affects more than 200 million people worldwide. In Latin America, one in three women over 50 has low bone density.”
She also stresses that “women, especially after the menopause, because of the fall in oestrogen that speeds up the loss of bone mass”, are the most likely to develop it.
As prevention strategies from the age of 50, she recommends “keeping a diet rich in calcium, getting moderate sun exposure, doing resistance exercise, avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol, and having regular check-ups.”
Finally, Dr Martínez leaves a clear message for the public: “Osteoporosis is not a ‘normal’ part of ageing. Preventing it and detecting it in time can make the difference between living actively and living with limitations.”
About Médico Express
A modern outpatient care centre, designed, built and operated to international standards, with a model of care centred on the patient and their family.
It is strategically located on the San Isidro highway to meet the health service needs of the local population and of tourists.
Médico Express promotes innovation, research, digital transformation, knowledge transfer and best practice, taking Dominican medicine to an international stage.