Osteoporosis Center
Osteoporosis is a chronic condition of bone metabolism in which there is a gradual decrease on their density and quality, making them more brittle over time.
This results in an increased risk of fracture even without injury (spontaneous fracture).
Osteoporosis can be: 1. Primary or idiopathic and affects women after menopause and people of both sexes over the age of 70, and 2. Secondary, i.e., due to an underlying disease, deficiency or medication.
Osteoporosis is a silent disease without symptoms until the first fracture occurs. The main manifestation of osteoporosis is fractures after minor injury or those that occur without a clear history of injury.
However, osteoporosis is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Nor is hereditary fatal.
The best treatment of osteoporosis is its early detection, that is, when it is still at the stage when the patient has absolutely no symptoms.
The diagnosis is based on history, clinical examination, bone density measurement, FRAX algorithm and general or specific blood tests.
Sufficient intake of calcium through consumption of dairy products, avoidance of smoking, alcohol and cola drink consumption, physical exercise and maintenance of normal vitamin D levels are usually sufficient for prevention during young and middle age.
However, after menopause as well as in elderly, these measures are not sufficient to prevent bone loss and, thus, medication may be required.
The drugs used to treat osteoporosis and increase bone production or inhibit bone resorption are estrogens, selective modulators of their receptors, bisphosphonates, denosumab, romosozumab, parathyroid hormone analogs, and of course calcium and vitamin D.
Activities
The primary goal of the Osteoporosis Center is the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, as well as the treatment of its consequences. The Center is addressed to all those suffering from osteoporosis, osteopenia, those at high-risk, as well as all adults over the age of 50 and menopausal women.
At the Osteoporosis Center, all available data from the medical history, clinical examination and laboratory tests are evaluated, and based on the findings, preventive measures or appropriate treatment are recommended.
A clinical assessment of osteoporosis is recommended for adult men and women, especially those over 50 years of age, as well as for individuals suffering from conditions that may cause bone loss or those with a suspicious or unclear medical history.
A bone mass measurement (bone densitometry) is recommended for all women over the age of 65 and all men over the age of 70. It is also advised for younger people who may have any high risk factor, such as a family history of osteoporosis, previous fracture, early menopause, hormone therapy or deficiency, nutritional problems, gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune diseases, are slim or radiographic evidence of vertebral deformity in a random imaging assessment.
Equipment
The Osteoporosis Center is staffed by experienced and specialized medical and nursing personnel, working in collaboration with physicians from all specialties and other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists and dietitians.
The Center benefits from the support of a general hospital institution, the reliability of measurements and examinations through state-of-the-art specialized laboratory equipment and maintains close contact and collaboration with other specialized units, such as the Geriatrics Center and the Breast Center, in order to ensure the optimal treatment of osteoporosis and its consequences.