Osteoporosis, also known as osteoporosis among the public, is one of the problems frequently encountered in women in older ages and especially in the post-menopausal period. Dear patients, in this article, I will tell you what is osteoporosis? and how is osteoporosis diagnosed? Who gets osteoporosis? I will give answers to frequently asked questions such as: Remember that you can protect yourself from osteoporosis and reduce its effects with precautions taken at an early age and exercises in the future.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, commonly known as osteoporosis, is a disease characterized by decreased bone density. Osteoporosis actually means porous bone. In other words, it is possible to define osteoporosis as the wear and tear of bones over time. This disease can progress for many years without showing symptoms. It may not be noticed until the first fracture occurs in the bones. Therefore, early diagnosis of osteoporosis is very important.
Be Careful: My dear patients, if you are in the osteoporosis risk group, you should definitely have a bone measurement and ensure early precautions are taken for problems that may occur in the long term.
Osteoporosis can cause serious problems in advanced cases. 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men over the age of 50 are expected to experience bone fractures in later ages. Fractures due to osteoporosis usually occur in the hip, wrist, arm and leg bones. However, in case of progressive osteoporosis, bone fractures may occur even while doing a simple housework.
What Causes Osteoporosis? Who is at Risk?
Although osteoporosis is a disease that is mostly seen in women, its incidence in men is not negligible. Therefore, everyone should be careful about osteoporosis. Bone formation in the human body continues until the age of 30. However, after the age of 30, bone destruction outweighs bone formation and osteoporosis begins.
It should not be forgotten that there are many different factors that can cause osteoporosis, as well as the period when bone destruction accelerates.
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Hormone disorders,
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Smoking and smoking Alcohol use,
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Inadequate and irregular nutrition,
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Not exercising,
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Osteoporosis may occur due to factors such as genetic factors,
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Having the ovaries removed before menopause, and the risk may increase.
Can Osteoporosis Be Prevented?
Dear patients, osteoporosis causes many problems that will reduce the quality of life. It can be prevented before it occurs or the progression of the disease can be slowed down. One of the most misconceptions about osteoporosis is that no matter what you do after the age of 30, osteoporosis cannot be prevented. However, osteoporosis can be prevented and its progression can be slowed down with a correct nutrition plan, healthy habits and regular exercise.
Calcium
In order to prevent osteoporosis, prevent its progression and protect bone structure, changes must be made in the nutrition program. Calcium is always very important for good bone mass formation. However, it should not be forgotten that not only children but also every individual needs calcium. Although it is slightly less compared to the growing age, daily calcium consumption is important for every individual and is almost the same as the need for everyone over the age of 50, regardless of whether they are men or women. Dear patients, if your diet does not contain enough calcium, please be careful to pay more attention to what you eat. If you consume enough milk and dairy products, you can easily meet your daily calcium needs. Even if you do not prefer to consume milk and dairy products, you can get calcium from green leafy vegetables and supplementary foods.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is very important for calcium absorption, therefore vitamin D should be taken in sufficient amounts in osteoporosis measures. It should be checked whether vitamin D, which must be taken daily, is included in the nutrition program. If there are deficiencies, supplements may need to be used. However, since excess vitamin D can have a toxic effect on the human body, it should be taken under the supervision of a specialist. Moreover It is also important to remember that sunlight is needed to synthesize vitamin D taken into the body.
Regular Exercise
Exercising is important to keep bones strong. However, exercise planning should be done very carefully for people who are at risk of or have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. In this process, it is important to prepare an exercise program, provided that it is not too intense and heavy. Additionally, emphasis can be placed on exercises to maintain balance. Because when the intensity of fractures due to falls in people with osteoporosis is taken into consideration, we can see the effect of balance sports.
Be Careful: Regular nutrition and exercise, along with limited alcohol consumption and quitting smoking, can slow down the progression of osteoporosis and postpone its emergence. Dear patients, high levels of caffeine, protein, salt and sugar consumption should be stopped and healthy eating recommendations and habits should be reconsidered.
Osteoporosis Diagnosis
In the diagnosis of osteoporosis, first of all, the patient's medical history is listened to and it is checked whether he carries the risks I mentioned above. At the end of this process, a physical examination is performed and some laboratory tests, especially the bone density test, are performed. If low bone mass is diagnosed, conditions that may cause it may need to be addressed and additional tests may be performed for additional differential diagnosis.
Bone Densitometry (Bone Density Test): This test determines the bone density of an individual of the same gender, ethnicity and age in their 25s as the applied patient. It is a reliable application that compares the patient's current bone density with the highest bone density that should be. This test is usually applied to women who have entered menopause. With this application, it is possible to diagnose osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis Treatment
In the treatment of osteoporosis, first of all, the level of the condition is, It is considered to what extent it affects the person's life. Afterwards, treatment planning is made.
Osteoporosis treatment It is very important to raise patient awareness. Detailed information needs to be provided on many issues such as exercise and changing lifestyle.
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If pain occurs due to osteoporosis, the person's quality of life can be increased with painkillers.
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Depending on the state of bone destruction, medications can be used to reduce bone destruction and support bone formation. As I mentioned above, vitamin D and calcium supplements are frequently preferred.
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Physical therapy may be preferred for both education and pain control.
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If there is a risk of hunchback due to osteoporosis, corset use may be recommended.
Be Careful: Control osteoporosis When taken under control, it may not have a negative impact on your quality of life. It is very important for people with this diagnosis to avoid falling, to stay away from habits that will reduce their quality of life, and to take the necessary precautions in their daily lives.
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