Osteoporosis- This is a disease of the skeleton with a change in the structure of the bones: a decrease in mass, a decrease in strength and an increase in fragility. As a result, even a small fall or unsuccessful movement can lead to a fracture.
Osteoporosis is called a "quiet disease" because it develops unnoticed. A person may not feel any symptoms for a long time until a fracture occurs.
This article will help you learn more about osteoporosis, its causes, signs and methods of prevention so that you can maintain the health of your bones.
Why is osteoporosis developing?
In the process of developing osteoporosis, the main role is played by a violation of bone tissue during growth or in the process of updating. The destruction of the bone begins to prevail over its restoration. Density, bone mass is reduced. As a result, the strength characteristics of the bone suffer from osteoporosis, and fractures occur in children in adults.
There are many reasons for the development of such a state, but the main ones are the decrease in the level of estrogen in postmenopaus in women and senile bone changes in people of both sexes.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is caused by changes in the hormonal background, since the state of bone tissue largely depends on the products of estrogen (female sex hormones), and the frequency of osteoporosis increases sharply when the production of estrogens in the female body ceases.
Senile osteoporosis is due to aging processes, usually detected in people over 70 years old.
The predisposing factors for the development of senile osteoporosis are:
- Family history(indications of fractures occurring in the elderly family members as a result of a small injury);
- elderly and senile age;
- asthenic physique, weight loss;
- Small growth.
In addition, certain diseases and conditions in which bone metabolism are disrupted to the development of osteoporosis can lead to the development of osteoporosis. Thus, endocrinological diseases (for example, diabetes, hyperthyroidism), digestive disorders (chronic liver diseases), kidney diseases (chronic renal failure), rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus), as well as some blood diseases, genetic pathologies and prolonged use of certain drug drugs can lead to the development of osteoporosis. (immunosuppressants, thyroid hormones, anticonvulsants, glucocorticoid drugs, antacid aluminum -containing drugs)
How to suspect osteoporosis?
At an early stage, it is extremely difficult to suspect osteoporosis.
The following signs can be alert: soreness in the spine (thoracic and lumbar), in the region of the ribs, hip and ankle joints, and pelvic bones. The pain syndrome is usually non -intensifying, intensifies after the load, when weather conditions change.
Patients with postmenopausal and senile osteoporosis often do not attach significance to pains, explaining them by the natural process of aging, therefore they do not contact the doctors. Osteoporosis is progressing for several years. The back pain gradually intensifies, the growth of the patient decreases, his posture changes, the spine becomes less mobile.
The most significant manifestation of osteoporosis is fractures, often accompanied by persistent pain syndrome. The vertebrae fractures can remain unrecognized, in severe osteoporosis in senile patients, a hump is sometimes formed due to a significant decrease in the height of several vertebrae bodies against the background of compression fractures.
Here are simple recommendations that will help to suspect osteoporosis in time:
- Pay attention to the alarming "signals" of the body
- Frequent back pain, especially in the lower back or between the shoulder blades, can be the first sign of a decrease in bone density.
- Reducing growth: if you notice that it has become lower by 1-2 cm, this may indicate changes in the spine.
- Stoop: the development of the so -called "widow hump" is a sign of bone weakening.
- Assess your injuries and their consequences
- If a fracture happened from a light injury (for example, when falling from a height of its own height), this is an occasion to check the density of the bones.
- The most common fractures for osteoporosis are in the wrist, hips and vertebrae.
- Consider risk factors
Consult a doctor if you have one or more of these factors:
- Age over 50 years old (especially in women after menopause).
- Family history of osteoporosis (parents had fractures).
- Lack of calcium and vitamin D in the diet.
- A sedentary lifestyle.
- Smoking, alcohol abuse or coffee.
- Taking some drugs (for example, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, thyroid hormones, anticonvulsants).
- Particular examinations
- After 50 years (or earlier, if there are risk factors), it is recommended to measure the density of bone tissue using densitometry. This is a painless study that will definitely show the condition of your bones.
- Follow the state of the body
- Pass the blood tests regularly to find out the level of calcium and vitamin D.
- Discuss any new symptoms or complaints with a doctor.
Early detection of osteoporosis helps to prevent serious complications. If you notice one of the above, do not postpone a visit to the doctor!
How can osteoporosis be prevented?
Osteoporosis is easier to prevent than to treat. Here are the main steps that will help keep your bones strong and healthy:
- Proper nutrition
- Calcium rich products: add dairy products to the diet (milk, cheese, yogurt), green vegetables (broccoli, spinach), nuts (almonds) and fish (sardins, salmon).
- Vitamin D: It helps the body absorb calcium. Sources of vitamin D are sunlight, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), egg yolks and enriched products (for example, milk).
- Squirrels: turn on meat, fish, eggs, legumes and nuts in power - they strengthen bone tissue.
- Avoid excess salt, caffeine and alcohol, as they contribute to the loss of calcium.
- Physical activity
- Regular exercises: engage in physical activity at least 30 minutes a day. Walking, swimming, dancing or yoga are suitable.
- Strengthen the bones and muscles: strength exercises with small weights or exercises with your own weight (for example, squats, push -ups) strengthen bone tissue.
- Rejection of bad habits
- Throw smoking: smoking reduces bone density.
- Limit alcohol: alcohol abuse weakens bone tissue.
- Health control
- Vitamin D and calcium level: regularly check their level, especially after 40 years, take calcium and vitamin D preventive drugs. With vitamin D deficiency, it is recommended that additional reception in drops or tablets (at the rate of 5,000 units per day or 50,000 units 1 time in 2 weeks with the subsequent control of vitamin D in the dynamics with the transition to a preventive dose when reached the normal values of vitamin in the blood: 2000 per month or 50,000 times a month for a long time).
- Preventive examination: After 50 years, do densitometry to monitor the state of bone tissue.
- Avoid falls
- Take out extra objects: free the passages from wires, rugs and furniture that you can stumble about.
- Use non -slip coatings: put the rugs with an anti -slip base in the bathroom, in the kitchen and at the front door.
- Provide good lighting: install bright lamps, especially on stairs, in corridors and other places with increased risk.
- In the winter season, wear the right non -acting shoes that do not hesitate to move your clothes, avoid ice, move in small steps, trying to completely rely on the foot, plan your routes safely, rely on the handrails when descents up the stairs.
Do not forget that the health of the bones is formed from a young age, and you can strengthen them at any age.
Start taking care of yourself today - add useful habits to everyday life and seek medical help at the first alarming signs.
Healthy bones are the basis of an active and full -fledged life!
The material was prepared by employees of the Rheumatology Department of the Healthcare Institution "6th City Clinical Hospital"
