Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It’s often called a “silent disease” because it progresses without symptoms until a fracture occurs. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the removal of old bone. As a result, bones become weak and brittle. It’s most common in older adults, especially women after menopause.
Causes of Osteoporosis:
- Aging: As we age, bone density decreases.
- Hormonal Changes: Reduced estrogen levels in women and testosterone levels in men can contribute to bone loss.
- Lack of Calcium and Vitamin D: Inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D can weaken bones.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
What to Look Out For:
Osteoporosis often goes unnoticed until a fracture occurs. Therefore, it is recommended to do bone mineral density scan during medical check up when you have the above-mentioned risk factors (causes).
Some common signs of osteoporotic fracture that you should watch out for include:
- Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
- Loss of height over time
- A stooped posture (kyphosis)
- Any site of pain following a trivial fall
When to Treat:
It’s essential to discuss osteoporosis treatment with your healthcare provider if you’re at risk or experiencing symptoms. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications to strengthen bones, and fall prevention strategies.
How to Treat:
- Nutrition: Ensure a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.
- Exercise: Weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises help maintain bone density.
- Medications: Your doctor may prescribe medications like bisphosphonates or hormone therapy to prevent bone loss, or even anabolic agent (bone building agent) to increase bone density (in severe cases).
How to Decide on Spine Surgery:
In severe cases of osteoporosis, fractures in the spine (vertebral compression fractures) may occur, leading to debilitating pain or spinal deformities. When considering spine surgery, factors to consider include:
- Severity of pain and impairment
- Overall health and ability to tolerate surgery
- Risks and benefits of surgery, including potential complications
Surgery may be recommended if conservative treatments fail to relieve pain or if there’s a risk of spinal cord compression. However, each case is unique, and decisions regarding surgery should be made in consultation with a spine specialist.
In conclusion, early detection, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate treatment can help manage osteoporosis effectively. Stay proactive about bone health and consult your healthcare provider if you have concerns or risk factors for osteoporosis.
理解骨质疏松症：一个外行人的指南
骨质疏松症是一种使骨骼变脆弱且更容易骨折的疾病。它通常被称为“潜在疾病”，因为在骨折发生之前没有症状的进展。以下是您需要了解的内容：
什么是骨质疏松症？
骨质疏松症发生在新骨生成无法跟上旧骨去除的情况下。因此，骨骼变得脆弱易碎。这种情况在老年人中最为常见，特别是绝经后的女性。
骨质疏松症的原因：
- 衰老：随着年龄增长，骨密度会减少。
- 激素变化：女性体内雌激素水平下降和男性体内睾丸激素水平下降可能会导致骨质流失。
- 缺乏钙和维生素D：摄入钙和维生素D不足可能会使骨骼变弱。
- 生活方式因素：吸烟、过度饮酒和缺乏运动可能会增加骨质疏松的风险。
需要注意的问题：
骨质疏松症往往在发生骨折前不被注意到。因此，建议在具有上述风险因素（原因）时进行骨密度扫描。
您应该注意的一些骨质疏松骨折的常见迹象包括：
- 由椎体骨折或塌陷引起的背部疼痛
- 随着时间流失的身高变矮
- 驼背姿势（驼背）
- 微小摔倒后的任何疼痛部位
何时治疗：
如果您处于风险状态或出现症状，务必与您的医疗保健提供者讨论骨质疏松症治疗。治疗可能包括生活方式改变、增强骨骼的药物和防止摔倒的策略。
如何治疗：
- 补充营养：确保饮食富含钙和维生素D。
- 定期运动：负重和增强肌肉的锻炼有助于保持骨密度。
- 药物治疗：您的医生可能会开具类似双磷酸盐或激素替代疗法的药物以预防骨质流失，甚至在严重情况下会使用骨密度增加剂（骨骼建设剂）。
如何决定是否进行脊柱手术：
在严重的骨质疏松症情况下，病患可能会发生脊柱骨折（椎体压缩性骨折），引起疼痛或导致脊柱畸形。病患在考虑脊柱手术时，需要考虑的因素包括：
- 疼痛和功能障碍的严重程度
- 整体健康状况和手术耐受能力
- 手术的风险和好处，包括潜在的并发症
- 如果保守治疗无法缓解疼痛或存在脊髓压迫的风险，医生可能会建议进行手术。然而，每种情况都是独特的，关于手术的决定应在与脊柱专家的咨询中进行。
总之，提早发现并做出干预，修改生活方式和进行适当的专业治疗可以有效管理骨质疏松症。民众应该积极保持骨骼健康，如果您担心或有骨质疏松的风险因素，请咨询您的医疗保健提供者。
