Do you have back pain again and again? Spinal Fracture may occur, 22 lakh British people have become victims

If you suffer from back pain frequently and are not getting relief even after rest or taking medicine, then taking it lightly can prove to be costly. According to recent figures, about 22 lakh people in Britain are suffering from spinal fractures which cannot be detected in normal tests.

These fractures gradually increase in pain and are often ignored due to age, fatigue or bad posture. Now the NHS has taken an important step to deal with this serious problem. Let us know why spinal fracture occurs and how it can be detected.

Why are spine fractures not detected?

As age increases, the risk of falls and weakening of bones increases. In such cases, X-ray scans are usually done, especially in people who are at high risk of falling or who suffer from osteoporosis. But the problem is that there was no fixed system for regular examination of the spinal cord. As a result, about 70 percent of vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis go undiagnosed, and patients continue to suffer pain for a long time.

What will the new NHS move change?

Now the NHS has decided to include vertebral fracture assessment as a routine part of bone density tests for people over the age of 50. Every year more than 86 thousand elderly people suffer spinal fractures. The new testing process will allow these cases to be identified quickly, so that treatment can be started on time. According to the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), such fractures severely impact the quality of life and early detection is extremely important.

Osteoporosis is the cause of fractures in the elderly

About 80 percent of people in Britain experience back pain at some point in their lives. In many cases, the cause is not muscle fatigue but an undetected fracture in the spine. In the elderly, this problem often occurs due to fall or Osteoporosis. Since these fractures do not always present with severe pain, they are not caught in time.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a medical condition, not a normal aging process. In this, the density inside the bones gradually decreases, due to which they become thin and weak. At the initial level it is called Osteopenia, but when bone loss increases, the condition turns into Osteoporosis. In this disease, even a minor fall increases the risk of bone fracture. Wrist and hip fractures are common, but spine fractures often go undiagnosed.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

• persistent or increasing back pain
• gradual loss of height
• arched back
• Persistent pain even in minor injuries

Treatment and prevention methods

Treatment of osteoporosis is based on medicines, lifestyle changes and regular monitoring.

• Regular weight-bearing and strength exercises
• balanced diet rich in calcium
• Adequate Vitamin D (supplements if needed)
• Fall prevention measures
• Periodic bone density and spine checkups