Extending what we mentioned in previous articles about the prescription of strength training in people over 60 years of age (yes, it is possible!), we would like to talk about one of the most common diseases for this population and put on the table why adherence to therapeutic exercise is so necessary for this type of patients.
To refresh your memory, dear reader, we remind you that osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by the loss of bone mass and the deterioration of the microarchitecture of bone. That is: the loss of bone density.
This leads to an obvious problem that can be the trigger even of states of pre-fragility and fragility: the increased risk of fractures. But let’s not go so fast and talk about it in depth.
Osteoporosis, a public health problem
Osteoporosis is a disease with a multifactorial etiology, that is, it is influenced by various factors. Among the most important factors are genetics, age, sex, lifestyle and certain diseases.
- Genetics: there are certain genes that can influence the predisposition to develop osteoporosis. In addition, it has been observed that bone density is influenced by racial factors, being more common in white and Asian people.
- Age: Over time, there is a decrease in the body’s ability to produce new bone and maintain bone density. This makes older people more likely to suffer from this disease.
- Sex: it has been observed that women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. This is because women have less bone mass than men and in addition, menopause can lead to an accelerated decrease in bone density due to decreased estrogen levels.
- Lifestyle: a diet low in calcium and vitamin D, sedentary lifestyle and alcohol and tobacco consumption can influence the onset of this disease.
Finally, certain diseases such as Cushing’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, celiac disease and chronic renal failure, among others, can influence the onset of osteoporosis.
But how prevalent is it?
It is a very prevalent disease in the world population, especially and as we have already mentioned in postmenopausal women and older adults. Let’s see some relevant data at the epidemiological level:
- It is estimated that approximately 200 million people worldwide suffer from this disease.
- In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than 10 million people suffer from it and another 44 million are at risk of suffering from it.
- In Europe, it is estimated that 22% of women over 50 have osteoporosis and in Spain, it is estimated that it affects more than 3 million people.
That is why we must take it into account as a serious public health problem worldwide that is directly related to the aging population of first world countries.
The application of therapeutic exercise
Therapeutic exercise is a very useful tool in the treatment and prevention of this disease. Regular physical exercise can help increase bone density, improve bone quality and reduce the risk of fractures.
Physical exercise helps maintain and improve bone mass, as it stimulates the formation of new bone and increases bone density. In addition to improving muscle strength, flexibility and balance, which reduces the risk of falls and, therefore, of comorbidities that would be fatal for elderly people.
It is important to note that the type of exercise and intensity should be suitable for each person depending on their state of health and physical capacity. The most recommended exercises to prevent and treat osteoporosis are those that involve impact and load on the bones, such as walking, running, jumping or lifting weights. Muscle strengthening and balance exercises are also helpful.
Prescribing our patients a therapeutic exercise program that suits their needs and is related to guidelines for an adequate diet rich in essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, that is, a global and multidisciplinary treatment will be essential for our treatment to achieve success.
So, digital physiotherapy for what?
To the extent that we are talking about a public health problem that affects a growing population sector, we must find solutions that can be extrapolated to a large number of people but that do not imply the saturation of national health services.
So, we have a disease and a treatment (not pharmacological) and we want to get that treatment to the greatest number of patients…
Well yes, again, the solution is digital tools!
Digital physiotherapy and the tools that support it are, without a doubt, the necessary link between patients and health professionals that will guarantee the improvement of the quality of life of this patient profile. You have doubts?