A SILENT DISEASE.
The Straits Times|November 13, 2024
Osteoporosis, or brittle bones, typically presents without any warning symptoms and leaves sufferers at risk of becoming immobile
Akshita Nanda
A SILENT DISEASE.

Madam Muthiah Vasanthakumari, 73, does yoga daily. However, in recent months, she has had to avoid doing extreme twists or backbends.

Madam Kumari, as she is known, has osteoporosis or brittle bones. The condition typically presents without any warning symptoms and leaves sufferers at risk of becoming immobile due to spine or hip fractures.

In May, she suffered a sudden and painful backache after lifting something heavy. It turned out to be a vertebral fracture.

"If I had known, I would have been more careful," Madam Kumari says. She is now receiving monthly injections to promote bone formation and has been asked to walk slower to reduce the likelihood of tripping and falling.

The married mother of three found out 13 years ago that she had low bone density, which can indicate osteoporosis.

Until recently, she did not think it would affect her much. She made sure to take calcium supplements and ate green leafy vegetables rich in calcium.

She walks regularly, clocking 10,000 to 15,000 steps a day. She can climb stairs and go on pilgrimages in hilly regions in India.

However, consultant endocrinologist Caroline Hoong at Woodlands Health, says: "By the time you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or broken a bone because of osteoporosis, simply taking calcium and vitamin D supplements is not enough."

Treatment can also involve oral or injectable medications to reduce the loss of bone and promote bone formation, adds Dr Hoong, who treats Madam Kumari.

STEALTHY CONDITION Family physician Gabriel Ding says people with osteoporosis have bones that have become brittle and fragile, usually because of hormonal changes or deficiencies in calcium or vitamin D, which aids the take-up of calcium by the bones.

This story is from the November 13, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 13, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
Star producer of NewJeans quits after legal spat with BTS agency
The Straits Times

Star producer of NewJeans quits after legal spat with BTS agency

The South Korean super-producer behind the chart-topping girl group NewJeans resigned from her label on Nov 20, following a protracted legal battle with Hybe that has rocked the country's K-pop industry.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024
One Direction stars attend Liam Payne's funeral in UK
The Straits Times

One Direction stars attend Liam Payne's funeral in UK

Family and friends of One Direction star Liam Payne, who died in October after falling from a Buenos Aires hotel room, gathered for his funeral in Britain on Nov 20.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Composer A.R. Rahman and wife separate after 29 years of marriage
The Straits Times

Composer A.R. Rahman and wife separate after 29 years of marriage

Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman and his wife, Saira, have announced their decision to part ways after nearly 30 years of marriage.

time-read
1 min  |
November 22, 2024
Audemars Piguet joins hands with Kaws for groovy new drop
The Straits Times

Audemars Piguet joins hands with Kaws for groovy new drop

Audemars Piguet has teamed up with contemporary American artist Brian Donnelly - better known by his pseudonym Kaws - to create the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion, a 43mm titanium horological knockout which groovily fuses high watchmaking and pop art.

time-read
1 min  |
November 22, 2024
LOCAL DESIGNERS GET WICKED
The Straits Times

LOCAL DESIGNERS GET WICKED

Singapore fashion designers have created clothes and accessories in a Wicked collaboration between Design Orchard and NBCUniversal

time-read
6 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Captain America excited to flaunt new powers
The Straits Times

Captain America excited to flaunt new powers

No serum? No problem. New Captain America Anthony Mackie goes on a different flight path in upcoming movie

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024
SBA RESHUFFLE NETS KIM
The Straits Times

SBA RESHUFFLE NETS KIM

S. Korea's ex-Asiad champ will become Singapore women's singles head coach

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Yeo targets top-l O spot after maiden win over Sindhu
The Straits Times

Yeo targets top-l O spot after maiden win over Sindhu

As far as giants go, they do not come taller in the badminton women's singles circuit than India's 1.79m P. V. Sindhu, who has a 2019 world title and an Olympic silver (Rio 2016) and bronze (Tokyo 2020) to match her stature.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Hearing-impaired Audelle, 10, is rising chess star
The Straits Times

Hearing-impaired Audelle, 10, is rising chess star

It was only when Audelle Sim was six years old that her parents found out that she has a hearing impairment.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 22, 2024
The Straits Times

THE BEST OF CHESS AND MORE

S,pore world c'ship's side events include fan zones with grandmasters and exhibitions

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024