Osteoporosis is a common bone disease characterized by low bone density, and progressive deterioration in the quality of bone tissue. This leads to diminished bone strength and increases the risk of bone fractures or even breaks. Its prevalence is higher the older one gets thus countries with significantly high numbers of old people, 50 and above, report high incidences of the disease. Risk factors for the disease include poor diet low in calcium and Vitamin D, family history of the disease, advanced age, lifestyle issues such as obesity, smoking and lack of physical activity, among other related issues. Diagnosis for the disease usually happens once the individual has already suffered a fracture resulting in the disease being referred to as ‘The Silent Disease’ (Sözen, Özışık & Başaran, 2017).
Management of the disease is usually multifaceted with nurses playing a huge role in this process of restoring the patient to health. As primary contacts of patients in health facilities, nurses can help in early and proper management of the disease. Nurses can identify risk factors in patients such as obesity, family history and during tests of other conditions in the hospital. Nurses also play a role of health educators and can advise diagnosed patients or those at risk of it, on healthy lifestyle choices such as proper diet and regular physical activity. Their presence in basic level health facilities also gives nurses the ability to conduct follow-ups with many patients to ensure those with injuries are well taken care of, and those at risk are not aggravating their risk factors. Due to their closeness with patients, nurses can also offer psychological support to those affected and help the management phase of the disease more bearable.
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Reference
Sözen, T., Özışık, L., & Başaran, N. Ç. (2017). An overview and management of osteoporosis. European journal of rheumatology , 4 (1), 46–56. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.048
