What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that bone mineral density is reduced.
Osteoporosis itself has no specific symptoms; its main consequence is the increased risk of bone fractures.
Risk factors of osteoporosis:
l Women after the menopause
l Hormonal disorders
l Smoking
l Taking glucocorticoids
l Other chronic diseases
Diagnosis:
l Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
Treatments:
Osteoporosis can be treated with bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators, calcium supplement, and vitamin D.
Patients with osteoporosis should know
Nutrition:
l Calcium:
ü The patient should include 1200 to 1500 mg of calcium daily either via dietary means or via supplementation.
ü An 8 oz glass of milk contains approximately 300 mg of calcium.
ü The body absorbs only about 500 mg of calcium at one time and so intake should be spread throughout the day.
l Vitamin D:
ü Vitamin D deficiency causes muscle weakness and increase falling probability.
ü New vitamin D intake recommendations are adults up to age 50, 400-800 IU daily and those over 50, 800 - 1,000 IU daily.
ü Partial vitamin D can also be got via exposure to sun light.
Patients should eat food rich in calcium and vitamin D. To take outdoor activities also helps.
Exercise:
l Multiple studies have shown that aerobics, weight bearing, and resistance exercises can all maintain or increase bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
l Good exercises: treadmill walking, gymnastic training, stepping, jumping, endurance, and strength exercises
l Attention: safety is the first!
Aerobics, weight bearing, and resistance exercises are helpful for patients with osteoporosis. Exercises should be taken in a safety environment to prevent fracture caused by falling or other accidents.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteoporosis
http://www.osteoporosis.org.aufilesfactsheetsOTH-7670-CHI.pdf
http://www.csusm.edu/obrt/events/lectures/osteoporosis01.jpg
http://www.public.asu.edu/~rojann/epidemio/tr-osteoporosis.gif
http://www.bayareanutrition.com/images/BCA50012.JPG
If you have any questions, please consult our orthopaedics outpatient service.
