Queen Rania Amman – Osama Al Rantissi One in three Jordanian women above the age of fifty suffer from osteoporosis, a new research has revealed. Only 15 percent of men above 50 suffer from the condition. Doctor Basil Al-Masry from the International Osteoporosis Foundation in the Middle East and Africa said to the press: “Jordanian are less affected by the condition than Europeans, only because the European population has a higher percentage of people aged 50 or plus."
Al-Masry announced that a conference on osteoporosis - under the sponsorship of Queen Rania -  will take place at the end of September by the Dead Sea (September 27 - October 1).
The Head of the Jordanian Osteoporosis Prevention Society (JOPS) Haifaa Diaa said: “Osteoporosis is dangerous because it can go undetected for a long time - it can be discovered only through a medical examination. The society focuses on raising awareness by working with the local associations.”
She clarified that JOPS tries to reach out to the people more likely to be affected by the condition. But students are also targeted as the society trying to make them adjust their lifestyle in order to prevent the disease.
The Head of Osteoporosis Physicians Society Dr Ali Atoum said: “The disease is more dangerous when fractures occur in old people who suffer from other diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure and congestive heart failure, leading to fracture complications such as strokes and ulcers. If these fractures are surgically treated, it may expose the patient to complications during the operations.”
He described the disease as ‘Silent’ because it has no symptoms and can be discovered when fracture happens to the patient, especially in his spin and hips and some other parts in the Skeleton.
“Some surgeons do not want to be held responsible for complications and therefore refuse to do any surgery" he explained.
He added: “The efforts of health professionals should focus on an early diagnosis. The earlier the better."
Palestinian doctor Elias Saba said that the association was raising awareness putting advice and messages on dairy products, for the message to be understood in every Palestinian household.  .
He revealed that the Palestinian side will present a significant paper during the conference on osteoporosis and genetics. It is widely known that the condition can be caused by a lack of Vitamin D, which is itself caused by a lack of sunlight.
Head of the orthopedic department at Bashir Hospital Dr Mazen Qaqish said: “The most important causes of the disease is genetics and menopause at an early age. An unhealthy lifestyle can also be held responsible: the lack of calcium , lack of exercise, smoking and non-exposure to the sun. Studies have shown that more than 86% Jordanian women have a lack of Vitamin D.
He said : “ We need strong unbreakable bones which is related to proper nutrition," referring that the normal man needs 1200 mg of calcium per day, while some other categories such as adolescents , the elderly , the pregnant and breastfeeding women need more. He insisted on the importance of eating dairy products.