There are still many misconceptions about osteoporosis or osteoporosis. However, the prevention of this condition is extremely important. Osteoporosis can, after all, place a heavy burden on the mobility and quality of life of those affected.
Osteoporosis doesn’t hurt
WHERE IS IT Osteoporosis is sometimes referred to as the silent bone thief. Until fractures occur, the disease remains completely symptom-free for the patient. And when a breakup occurs, it’s actually already too late. Typical fractures due to osteoporosis occur in the vertebrae, hips and wrists. When a fracture occurs without major trauma, in the event of a small fall or lifting of a heavy load, one must always be aware of osteoporosis. Persistent back pain should also be further investigated to rule out vertebral collapse.
Osteoporosis reduces bone density
WHERE IS IT It is this reduction in bone density that makes bones more fragile. New bone is constantly being created in our bones and old bone is being broken down. In osteoporosis, there is an imbalance in this process. Osteoblasts, cells that build bone, are no longer sufficiently numerous and are no longer able to cope with osteoclasts, which are responsible for breaking bone. This changes the internal structure of the bones and makes them more fragile.
Osteoporosis cannot be prevented
NOT TRUE A a healthy lifestyle forms the basis for strong bones:
- a healthy diet, with a focus on sufficient calcium and vitamin D;
- enough daily exercise; exercise is an effective measure to prevent osteoporosis. As you move (preferably walking, walking, rather than cycling or swimming) calcium is stored in your bones. If you train too little, your calcium intake drops.
- you spend a lot of time outdoors to be exposed to enough sunlight.
- Smoking and alcohol promote osteoporosis.
Soccer in vitamin D forming and maintaining bone tissue. The recommended dose of calcium is for adults950 mg per day and before young between 11 and 18 years e elderly is becoming 1,150 mg football a day. They have a higher calcium requirement. After all, in young people the bones are in full development, and in the elderly, calcium is less well absorbed into the blood.
Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium from the diet. The main sources of vitamin D are: sunlight (as the main source), fish, dairy products enriched with vitamin D.
The risk of osteoporosis increases with age
WHERE IS IT As we age, the skin produces less vitamin D under the influence of sunlight, which in turn affects calcium absorption. Women are more prone to osteoporosis after menopause, when the protective influence of female hormones is lost. In case of premature menopause (before the age of 45), greater vigilance is required. However, heredity also plays an important role. When a woman has a hip fracture from osteoporosis, her daughter is twice as likely to develop the condition.
There are no facilitating factors
NOT TRUE As mentioned above, a healthy lifestyle is essential. An unbalanced diet containing insufficient calcium (especially during adolescence) increases the risk of osteoporosis. Alcohol also has a negative influence on bone quality.
Low body weight is also a risk factor. Muscles and osteoblasts are not sufficiently stimulated and, due to the lack of adipose tissue, androgens are not converted into protective estrogens.
Osteoporosis can also be triggered by hyperthyroidism or the use of certain medications such as long-term use of corticosteroids and certain treatments given in the fight against breast and prostate cancer.
TRUE Osteoporosis is sometimes called the silent bone thief. Until fractures occur, the disease remains completely symptom-free for the patient. And when a breakup occurs, it’s actually already too late. Typical fractures due to osteoporosis occur in the vertebrae, hips and wrists. When a fracture occurs without major trauma, in the event of a small fall or lifting of a heavy load, one must always be aware of osteoporosis. Even persistent back pain should be further investigated to rule out VERO vertebral collapse. This reduction in bone density makes bones more fragile. New bone is constantly being created in our bones and old bone is being broken down. In osteoporosis, there is an imbalance in this process. Osteoblasts, cells that build bone, are no longer sufficiently numerous and are no longer able to cope with osteoclasts, which are responsible for breaking bone. As a result, the internal structure of the bones changes and they become more fragile. FALSE A healthy lifestyle is the basis for strong bones: calcium and vitamin D form bone tissue and help maintain it. The recommended dose of calcium is 950 mg per day for adults and 1,150 mg per day for adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age and the elderly. They have a higher calcium requirement. After all, in young people, bones are in full development, and in the elderly, calcium is less well absorbed into the blood. Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium from the diet. The main sources of vitamin D are: sunlight (as the main source), fish, dairy products enriched with vitamin D. TRUE As we age, the skin produces less vitamin D under the influence of sunlight, which in its time has consequences for calcium absorption. Women are more prone to osteoporosis after menopause, when the protective influence of female hormones is lost. In case of premature menopause (before the age of 45), greater vigilance is required. However, heredity also plays an important role. When a woman has a hip fracture from osteoporosis, her daughter is twice as likely to develop the condition. FALSE As previously mentioned, a healthy lifestyle is essential. An unbalanced diet containing insufficient calcium (especially during adolescence) increases the risk of osteoporosis. Alcohol also has a negative influence on bone quality. Low body weight is also a risk factor. Muscles and osteoblasts are not sufficiently stimulated and due to a lack of adipose tissue, androgens are not converted into protective estrogens. Osteoporosis can also be caused by hyperthyroidism or the use of certain drugs such as long-term use of corticosteroids and some treatments given in the fight against breast and prostate cancer.
