What is osteoporosis? Causes, symptoms and prevention

Osteoporosis is a common disease in people with signs of osteoarthritis, especially the elderly. Therefore, it is essential to know the specific symptoms and ways to prevent them. Let’s find out related questions about osteoporosis with Tnhelearning.edu.vn!

What is osteoporosis?

According to MSc.BS.CKI Dinh Pham Thi Thuy Van working at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City , said that osteoporosis or brittle bones is a condition in which bone density is gradually reduced over time, making fractures possible. at any time even a minor injury.

In addition, people with osteoporosis may experience vertebral collapse, which causes the spine to degenerate faster and lead to reduced mobility or permanent paralysis.

What is osteoporosis?

Signs of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis often appears quite quietly and when the patient detects it, it is too late. Here are some signs to identify people with osteoporosis:

• Pain in the spine and feeling like a needle is pricked all over the body causing an uncomfortable throbbing.
• Appears dull pain in the hip, back, knee and some weight-bearing areas of the body when standing up, sitting down or moving slightly.
• Pain in the waist and flanks suddenly flares up when exercising vigorously or suddenly changing position.

All of the above signs are related to a decrease in bone density and can be accompanied by some dangerous symptoms such as high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, myocardial infarction, …

Signs of osteoporosis

Causes of osteoporosis

The leading cause of osteoporosis is age , the older you get, the greater the risk of osteoporosis . Besides, a number of other factors can increase the risk of osteoporosis such as:

• Lack of exercise, regular sports, inactivity and an unhealthy diet lacking in essential substances such as vitamin D, calcium, omega-3,…
• Continuous use of alcohol, beer, harmful stimulants and some drugs containing corticosteroids, heparin for a long time.
• Decrease in estrogen levels in women entering menopause or irregular menstrual cycles. In addition, men with low testosterone levels are also the cause of osteoporosis.
• Due to frequent heavy labor, carrying heavy objects every day or having broken bones.

Causes of osteoporosis

How to treat osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that requires long-term treatment, so patients must follow the doctor’s instructions and have their bone density checked periodically.

To treat osteoporosis, patients often have to combine two methods, using drugs and not using drugs.

• The method of using the drug will require the intervention of a specialist, the patient needs to supplement calcium from 1000-2000mg/day and 800-100IU/day for vitamin D. In addition, patients can take more drugs such as: Alendronate, Calcitonin, Zoledronic acid, Strontium ranelate, ….
• For the non-drug method , the patient will have to adhere to a healthy diet such as supplementing with calcium-rich foods, vitamin D, not overeating and not using stimulants.

Besides, patients with osteoporosis need to exercise regularly, move more. Additional support devices such as orthopedic braces can be used to reduce pressure on the spine and hip bones.

How to treat osteoporosis

How to prevent osteoporosis

To effectively prevent osteoporosis, you should pay attention to a few things:

• Regular exercise, sports with appropriate intensity and supplement with foods and drugs containing calcium and vitamin D.
• Limit the use of alcohol, beer, tobacco as much as possible and avoid abuse of pain relievers such as corticosteroids.
• It is advisable to regularly visit and check bone density periodically for early detection and treatment.
• Pay attention when walking or exercising vigorously.

Should exercise regularly

How to take care of patients with osteoporosis

When taking care of a patient with osteoporosis, you can refer to the following:

• Before exercising, the patient should warm up about 10 to 20 minutes before with gentle movements such as standing up and sitting down, rotating the joints of the arms and legs, avoiding strong movements. After the exercise is over, you should let the patient relax and breathe evenly for about 5 minutes.
• The pre-requisite in the diet of osteoporosis patients is adequate calcium, mineral and vitamin D supplementation as well as prioritizing clean foods. For older adults, you can talk more with your doctor about necessary medications and supplements.
• In daily activities, you should limit the risk of falls for osteoporosis patients such as making sure the floor is always dry, the light is adequate, helping the patient when walking on slippery roads or on stairs and Take the patient for regular check-ups.

Reducing the risk of falls for the elderly

Above is Tnhelearning.edu.vn’s share about osteoporosis. Hope you will find useful information and share it with patients who are at risk of osteoporosis!

Source: Tam Anh Hospital

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