Occurs out of balance between the removal of old bones, ‘bone resorption’ and ‘osteogenesis’ to create new bones
Adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D, and protein and minerals
A normal bone (left) and a bone from a patient with osteoporosis. Getty Images Bank
As we enter April, the warm spring weather continues, with the daytime temperature rising close to 20 degrees Celsius. As a result, the frequency of outdoor activities such as outings increases, and the number of fractures is increasing.
Osteoporosis is easy to detect only following a fracture in this way. By itself, there are no symptoms, but fractures can easily occur without you even realizing it.
For this reason, it is recommended to regularly consume foods and nutrients related to calcium or vitamin D, which are helpful for bones, and to take a bone density test from time to time for middle-aged women following menopause, men over 70 years of age, and those with osteoporosis risk factors.
According to the medical community on the 6th, osteoporosis is a skeletal disease that can be easily fractured due to weakened bone strength. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines osteoporosis as ‘a systemic skeletal disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass and microstructural abnormalities’.
The problem is that it is found secondary to a fall, fracture, or other disease without any specific symptoms.
Professor Park So-young of the Department of Endocrinology at Kyunghee University Hospital said, “Our body maintains bone homeostasis by sequentially performing bone resorption to remove old bone and bone formation to create new bone. Osteoporosis occurs when the balance is disrupted and, furthermore, bone resorption outweighs bone formation.”
The main causes of osteoporosis are menopause and aging. The reason why this disease is especially common in postmenopausal women is that rapid bone resorption occurs due to a deficiency of female hormones. In addition, type 1 diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. can also cause secondary osteoporosis. Of course, malnutrition and immobility are also linked.
Professor Park So-young said, “Osteoporosis is difficult to show symptoms, and in reality, it is rare to continuously check one’s bone condition, so diagnosis and treatment are often delayed. If you have osteoporosis risk factors such as early menopause or secondary amenorrhea, it is better to actively undergo a bone density test.”
Treatment of osteoporosis is largely divided into lifestyle modification and pharmacological treatment. A well-balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, smoking cessation, as well as adequate calcium intake and adequate vitamin D nutrition should be maintained. There are oral medications and injections for drug treatment, and should be carefully selected in consideration of the patient’s osteoporosis status and underlying disease.
Professor Park said, “I get the most questions regarding calcium and vitamin D intake from patients,” said Professor Park. he emphasized.
The recommended daily intake of calcium for adults 50 years and older is 700-800 mg, and vitamin D is 400 IU. In addition, for the formation and maintenance of bones, it is necessary to consume various nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals evenly and continuously. In addition, since low body weight is a risk factor for osteoporosis, it is recommended to consume adequate calories and refrain from excessive weight loss.
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