KARACHI, Oct 21: Health experts on Thursday emphasized on early detection of old-age diseases for better treatment and stressed on such people to get their medical examination regularly once a year and involve themselves in physical activities and exercise to prevent such diseases.

They were speaking at a seminar on "Managing old-age diseases", held by the Pakistan Press Foundation at the Vickey Zeitlin Medial Library.

PPF Director Ms Samina Ishaqeu said that the seminar was aimed at raising awareness about old-age diseases among people.

Head, Rehabilitation Centre, Department of Orthopaedics, Civil Hospital, Dr Sabir Memon, speaking on "Strategies for prevention and management of osteoporosis", said it was a condition of systemic skeletal disorder, characterized by a decreased mass per unit volume (density) of normally mineralized bone matrix (osteoid), and the most important clinical end point was bone fracture.

"Calcium has two important roles in body, structural and metabolic. Bone turn over or remodelling goes on throughout life, and by the age of about 25 years, amount of bone in skeleton reaches its maximum, known as "Peak bone mass". It is generally higher in men than in women and is greater in those with a large body frame in comparison to slim individuals," he added.

He said normally both sexes began to lose bone mass after reaching around 35 years, and it continued throughout life at the rate of about 0.3 per cent, annually, but in females after menopause, there was a sharp increase in bone loss due to oestrogen depletion.

"Annual decrease rate for compact bone is 2-3 per cent, and for spongy bone it is 6-8 per cent, and net result of accelerated bone loss places women in fracture-risk zone much earlier than men," he told.

Talking about the factors affecting bone turnover rate, he said it was genetically determined, and calcium intake and exercise were believed to be important in this regard.

He said on basis of many epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory findings, osteoporosis was classified in two major types- one post-menopausal and the other, age-related or senile osteoporosis.

"In type one, women at menopause lose bone at an accelerated rate (about 3 per cent per year, compared to 0.3 per cent during preceding decade) due to decline levels of oestrogen and progesterone produced by ovaries," he added.

One could change some factors influencing bone loss ratio, he said, adding those included sex hormones, anorexia, use of certain medications, inactive lifestyle or extended bed rest, cigarette smoking and excessive use of alcohol.

"Osteoporosis only causes symptoms. When there is a fracture, bone loss itself does not pain or shows other symptoms. Spine fractures may result from falling, but more commonly, they occur spontaneously or as a result of activities, such as coughing, lifting, bending or turning," he said, adding there could be a decline in body height due to osteoporosis of at maximum 3.5 inches.

Talking about prevention and management of the condition, he said if children and young adults, particularly women, had a good diet (with enough calcium and vitamin D) and get plenty of exercise, they could build up and maintain bone mass.

He warned that long-term use of glucocorticoids and antiseizure drugs could lead to a loss of bone density and cause fractures.

"Comprehensive osteoporosis treatment programme includes a focus on proper nutrition, exercise and safety issues, to prevent falls that may result in fractures, therefore physical activities should be encouraged," he added.

Head, Department of Psychiatry, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, (JPMC) Prof Dr Musarrat Hussain, talked on "Prevention and management of Alzheimer's disease", and said it was the disease of people above 65, but it could also occur before this age limit.

He said about five per cent of people under age of 60, suffer from Alzheimer and this figure goes up to 20 per cent at the age of 80. "Prevalence of this disease is more higher in developing countries as compared to developed world, and it is reported mostly in women," he added.

"Patient with Alzheimer loses memory gradually, cannot concentrate on one thing, cannot complete difficult task. Intake of Vitamin B can be helpful in decreasing risk of disease," he said. He stressed on creating psychiatric awareness among masses.

An expert from Sobhraj Maternity Home, informing the audience on menopause, said: "Risk of head diseases increases by 2-4 per cent in women with menopause than the non-menopausal women. Other risks of menopause include Alzheimer, tooth loss, eye problems, weakening of bones, back bone, wrist and hip fractures (most dangerous)."

She urged a health education programme that could encourage women with menopause-related symptoms to seek treatment and stressed on creating awareness at large scale about these conditions.

Talking on "Strategies for managing prostratic problems", Head, Department of Urology, JPMC, Dr Masood Shaikh, said it was extraordinarily common disease among older men, and was the second most common major operation after cataract surgery.-PPI