Over 14,000 postmenopausal women in England could now benefits from a new drug that helps and prevent bone fractures. The condition called Osteoporosis weakens bones and affects 3.8 million people in the UK. It particularly affects older women because during the menopause oestrogen, the hormone that is important for maintaining bone density, decreases and bone density reduces. To come up with a solution for this, UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence announced that it had approved a new drug, Abaloparatide, for use by the health service. It will be available for use on the NHS in England within three months.

For those who don't know, Abaloparatide is sold as Eladynos and made by Theramex. It increases bone density by stimulating the cells that make new bones. The drug has been recommended for patients at high risk of bone fractures. Nice has estimated that it could benefit more than 14,000 women who have gone through menopause.

Prof Jonathan Benger, chief medical officer and deputy chief executive of Nice, while speaking to media said, “The independent committee heard from patients about how debilitating osteoporosis can be and how it impacts all aspects of day-to-day life, such as not going out for a walk because they are fearful of falling and having a fracture." He further added, "This can impair mental and physical health. Our focus is on enabling access to care that improves quality of life while offering value to the taxpayer. Abaloparatide has been found by our independent committee to be clinically and cost effective at reducing the risk of fracture, giving people more independence and, therefore, a better quality of life.”

More about Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition wherein your bones become weak due to poor bone density. The condition is common in older women because they tend to go through menopause which causes a drop in estrogen levels. Oestrogen is a hormone that is required to maintain bone density. When you have osteoporosis, you have poor bone density. The condition doesn’t cause any major symptoms, however, you need to keep a check on the subtle signs so the condition is detected at an early stage and you can seek treatment.

Here, take a look at some of the signs of osteoporosis that women should know.

Fractures

One of the most obvious signs of osteoporosis is an increased risk of fractures, especially in the wrist, hip and spine. These fractures may happen due to minor incidents like falling or even from everyday activities like bending over or lifting objects. You should keep a check if you have frequent fractures.

Loss of Height

Another sign of osteoporosis is a reduction in height over time. This happens due to compression fractures in the spine. This is caused when the vertebrae collapse which eventually results in a stooped posture and there is a reduction in your height.

Back Pain

This is one of the first signs of the condition, especially if the pain is in your lower back. This could also be a sign of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. These fractures tend to cause severe discomfort which might worsen when you move or sit or stand for a long time. If you’ve been experiencing severe back pain, you should consult your doctor.

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