What is osteoporosis? Our bones are made up of bone cells and stroma (cell secretions), and when the matrix in the bones is lost, it causes osteoporosis, which is simply understood as a solid brick wall that becomes a hollow brick wall. Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease characterized by decreased bone mass and destruction of bone microstructure, which can cause decreased bone strength and increased risk of fractures.
How is osteoporosis classified, typed, and staged? The disease can be divided into two categories: primary and secondary. The former refers to the occurrence of osteoporosis without a clear disease that causes the disease; The latter refers to osteoporosis that occurs first with a disease that affects bone strength. This typing means that the focus is different, and the outcome may also be different.
What parts or organs will be affected? The disease is a systemic disease, with fractures of the hip, spine and wrist being the most common.
The common symptom is bone pain:Patients usually feel a slight vague pain and discomfort all over the body, which has little to do with activity, and some patients complain of significant pain.
The disease** exhibits different characteristics in different populations. Premenopausal women** are complex and diverse. The most common cause in postmenopausal women is a decline in physiological estrogen levels. In men, age, hormones, and congenital disorders are more common.
Who is susceptible to osteoporosis? People who have the following risk factors or triggers are more likely to get the disease:
Smoking:Smokers lose bone at a faster rate.
Alcohol consumption:Heavy drinkers are able to reduce bone production and increase the risk of falls.
Nutritional deficiencies:Excessive dieting or eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa). or an irrational or unbalanced diet low in calcium and vitamin D, which can increase the risk of the disease.
Lack of exercise:Proper weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, climbing stairs, dancing or lifting weights, can build muscles and bones to keep them strong.
Too little sunshine:Sun exposure can affect vitamin D production and calcium absorption in the body.
Medications:Medications, such as hormones, antiepileptic drugs, antidepressants, and high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate, can cause osteoporosis.
Disease:Hyperparathyroidism, osteogenesis imperfecta, inflammatory bowel disease, etc., can affect the blood calcium level in the body and lead to osteoporosis.
Family history of osteoporosis:Individuals are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis if they have a parent or sibling who has had osteoporosis or has had a fracture from a minor injury.
What conditions do I need to see a doctor promptly?
If you have an osteoporotic fracture due to this disease, you should seek medical attention immediately. Patients with long-term pain and fractures, especially spinal fractures, should immediately lie flat, keep the affected area still, and wait patiently120. Patients without complications can self-administer health foods such as calcium tablets and vitamin D, but they should not delay seeking medical attention and should not take medicine indiscriminately.
How do doctors diagnose osteoporosis?
When doctors suspect osteoporosis, the diagnosis is usually confirmed by tests such as bone density tests and X-rays. In addition, due to the complexity of the disease, other tests may be added to clarify it.
What tests are needed?
Bone density test:The main function is to assess the patient's bone quality, which is the most important examination for this disease.
Bone Turnover Marker Detection:The main role is to classify the disease. Blood tests were taken for serum alkaline phosphatase, serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, etc., to identify the type of osteoporosis.
Other Assessments:The goal is to find**, or to rule out other conditions. For patients with specific presentations, additional tests should be added. For example, if there is unexplained anemia or weight loss, tumor marker testing and other related tests are performed to determine whether there is a tumor.
Patients with hypercalcemia, increased calcium in the urine:Serum parathyroid hormone is measured to determine the presence of hypoparathyroidism.
There are facial acne, hirsutism, irregular menstruationUrine cortisol excretion is measured to determine the presence of Cushing's syndrome.
For men with fractures, bone pain, or unexplained osteoporosis:Serum tryptase is measured to determine the presence of systemic mastocytosis.
The disease is progressive, and emergency treatment is generally not necessary unless the primary disease is severe or complications such as fractures occur.
What are the best ways to get osteoporosis?
Medications:Objective: To improve bone health and promote the development of patients with any type of osteoporosis. Commonly used medications: vitamin D, calcium tablets, etc.
Anti-osteoporotic agentsObjective: To inhibit bone resorption, promote bone synthesis or anthemogenics.
Commonly used medications: Bisphosphonates, denosumab, sex hormones, salmon calcitonin, parathyroid analogues, etc.
Surgery**: This disease does not require surgery**. Unless there is a primary disease or complication such as a fracture, surgery is required.
Life Management:The aim is to improve bone mass and promote natural**. Educate patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate fall prevention. For patients with mild symptoms, it is the most important link.
Physics**:The goal is to improve bone mass and promote fracture healing. For example, pulsed electromagnetic fields, extracorporeal shock waves, ultraviolet rays, etc. These methods need to be performed by a professional doctor, so please do not trust informal health care institutions.
What else should I keep in mind?
Prevent falls:Falls can lead to fractures, and people with osteoporosis should actively prevent falls.
Quit other bad habits:Measures such as avoiding coffee, carbonated drinks and other beverages that affect bone density can help prevent osteoporosis.
How can osteoporosis be prevented?
Quit smoking and limit alcohol:Tobacco and alcohol can reduce bone density and accelerate bone loss.
Ensure adequate nutrition:Patients with difficulty eating should seek medical attention promptly. The average person should maintain an adequate and balanced diet.
Exercise: Healthy people should be physically active and maintain at least 5,000 steps a day.
Stay in the sun:It is generally recommended that the elderly and children ensure about 15 to 20 minutes of sunlight per day, and healthy** about 30 to 45 minutes of sun exposure every day.
Certain medicines:Drugs such as corticosteroids and high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate should be avoided as much as possible, and calcium supplementation may be given at the same time if necessary, and blood calcium concentrations and bone mineral density should be closely monitored.
With the above knowledge, this ** killer will have nothing to hide, and a healthy body is the foundation of our happy life. (Department of Orthopedics, Zhengzhou Seventh People's Hospital.)Ma Weimin