Osteoporosis Prevention On The Elderly - 1890 Words

Osteoporosis Prevention in the Elderly Abstract Osteoporosis is a common health concern globally. It has been estimated that 1 in 3 women in the United States suffers from osteoporosis and related fractures after menopausal age. According to the existing evidence, elderly patients have received inefficient attention regarding osteoporosis prevention or treatment. Moreover, physicians have practiced insufficiently in the prescription of anti-osteoporosis medication. Since the condition has a silent progressive process and presents with debilitating fractures, prompt diagnosis is of crucial importance to prevent morbidity and mortality. Nurses can play a pivotal role in postponing the osteoporosis progress and development of†¦show more content†¦Fragility fracture is occasionally the first presentation of osteoporosis. The incidence of osteoporosis-related fractures has been reported to increase with age and over 50% of the incidents occurring in menopausal women aged 75 year s. Vertebral column and hip are the most common site of fracture contributing to a significant morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Additionally, patients with a history of a fracture have a higher chance of encountering future fractures (Anders et al. 2007). Studies have demonstrated that as a person gets older, their likelihood of receiving adequate osteoporosis attention decreases with age. Moreover, elderly patients are very likely to develop more severe complication about osteoporosis. Therefore, prevention and prompt detection of patients at a high risk for development of osteoporosis is crucial. Herein. Nurses play a significant role in postponing osteoporosis and its morbidity or mortality by increasing patient s awareness to establish a healthy lifestyle, identification of patients for appropriate screening, and helping them to adhere to a preventive regimen (Chan, T., de Lusignan, S., Cooper, A., Elliott, M., 2015). Significance Osteoporosis occurs roughly in 30% of women with even a higher incidence in the elderly. It has been estimated that half of the hip fractures worldwide occur due to osteoporosis.