osteoporosis It is one of the diseases that are often encountered in the elderly. And it can have serious consequences if you have an accident, such as a fall, causing your bones to break more easily than at any other age. Because the bone mass is thinner But osteoporosis can also be prevented and treated properly.
What is osteoporosis? Who is at risk?
Osteoporosis is often found in the elderly. Caused by a decrease in bone mass in the body As a result, the bones become thinner and are not as strong as before. To the point where it’s just a slight fall. Or lifting heavy objects can cause bone fractures. Dr. Atiporn Terdyotin, orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic Center, Wimut Hospital, osteoporosis specialist and care of bones and muscles in elderly people from England and anti-aging medicine from the United States Explain that osteoporosis is more common in females than males.
Elderly people, especially women, are at higher risk of osteoporosis than men.
“Women aged 50 years and over have a 33% chance of suffering a bone fracture from osteoporosis, compared to 20% for men. This disease is more common in females than males. Because women’s bones are smaller. And when women begin to enter menopause or menopause. In women, the hormone estrogen, which inhibits bone resorption, is reduced. As a result, the bones decay quickly.”
osteoporosis symptoms
What is the disadvantage of osteoporosis? There will be no symptoms at all. But it will show symptoms only when our bones are broken. The warning symptom that can be found is back pain. which is caused by thin bones for a long time The pain is more severe when the spine is collapsed. and can cause the back to become hunched and short. In addition to the spine, other bones that are most commonly damaged are the wrists and hips. That’s why we should be careful and find ways to prevent osteoporosis before it’s too late.
Osteoporosis – bone degeneration How are they different?
In the elderly, there is another disease that is often encountered, that is, osteomalacia. This is different from osteoporosis in that it causes us to feel pain or have reduced movement in the joints that have deteriorated. As for osteoporosis, bones become thinner. The quality and strength of bones decreases. As a result, various bones in the body break easily. There may not have been any warning signs before. In fact, other than the elderly Both bone diseases It can occur from other risk factors, such as patients with rheumatoid arthritis. or patients who use steroid drugs, etc.
How to prevent osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is caused by a decrease in our bone mass. Prevention begins with strengthening bones since adolescence.
Eat food from all 5 food groups, especially protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. Get enough exercise and control your weight so that it is not below the body mass index criteria (Body mass index; BMI) Avoid behaviors that risk osteoporosis such as drinking alcohol, smoking, exercising regularly and eating nutritious foods from all 5 food groups can help prevent osteoporosis.
“Osteoporosis is considered a silent disease. Because he didn’t show any symptoms at all, the next time he realized it, it might have been when he fell and he had already broken a bone. So we have to go get screened. Especially when reaching an age at risk. That is, after menopause or aged 65 years and over, especially if you have congenital disease or other risks. Should come for screening sooner. Osteoporosis diagnosis uses Dual along with history taking Thorough physical examination to calculate the FRAX Score, which is an assessment of the risk of fractures from osteoporosis in the next 10 years. If the test results show osteoporosis, they will receive further treatment as needed. severity of each patient,” Dr. Atiporn Terdyothin further explained.
Guidelines for treating osteoporosis before it causes serious harm
For people who have thin bones but are not yet at the level of osteoporosis, doctors at Wimut Hospital recommend that they can treat them themselves by changing their eating habits. By emphasizing nutritious food and exercise regularly Prevent falls Do outdoor activities to boost your body’s vitamin D levels. Along with taking calcium and vitamin D supplements as recommended by your doctor. In the case of using drugs that affect bone mass, such as steroid drugs. or certain cancer medicines It is recommended to see a doctor for early examination. for timely diagnosis and treatment
If it is found that you have osteoporosis Treatment will depend on the severity of the disease. Starting by adjusting the food exercise and lifestyle appropriately along with giving medicine to treat osteoporosis as well The drugs are divided into 2 groups: drugs that increase bone formation and drugs that inhibit bone resorption. However, you must consult with experts closely throughout drug use and treatment.
“Although osteoporosis is more common in the elderly, But what we can do from the beginning is to strengthen bones since adolescence And keep checking your body every year without waiting for serious pain. If you are found to be at risk or have osteoporosis, you will receive timely treatment. So that we have good health and be happy every day,” Dr. Atiporn Terdyothin concluded.
References: Wimut Hospital, Bangkok Hospital
2023-10-26 03:00:00
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