Osteoporosis Prevention and Control Session 3 – How to prevent and treat osteoporosis

  In the first two lectures, we talked about the formation of osteoporosis and the dangers, so how to prevent and treat osteoporosis and avoid osteoporotic fractures?  Osteoporosis is a manifestation of reduced bone mass and increased bone fragility. The accumulation of bone mass starts at a young age, so the prevention of osteoporosis should also be proactive, starting from a young age and throughout life, rather than mending the fold after death and waiting until osteoporosis has occurred before starting treatment.  The purpose of osteoporosis prevention and treatment is different for each period. Before the formation of peak bone mass, measures should be taken to improve bone growth and development to promote the formation of ideal peak bone mass in adulthood; after reaching peak bone mass, we should maintain bone mass and bone quality and prevent age-related bone loss. But osteoporosis is, after all, a chronic disease associated with increasing age, and as we age, osteoporosis can only be delayed and cannot be completely avoided. So our ultimate goal is to avoid falls and fractures caused by osteoporosis.  The first step is to have a healthy lifestyle. Balanced nutrition, food rich in calcium and moderate amounts of protein, a low-salt diet, and try to drink a glass of milk every day. It is important to get enough sunlight because vitamin D is very important for strong bones, it promotes calcium absorption, increases muscle strength and prevents falls. The skin receives sunlight and absorbs ultraviolet rays to synthesize vitamin D, which is then converted step by step in the liver and kidneys into active vitamin D3. The appropriate time for sun exposure is recommended from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., exposing the skin to the sun for 15 – 30 minutes as much as possible. Be careful not to play umbrella, not to apply thick sunscreen, not to be separated from the glass, because these measures, will block the UV rays and not achieve the purpose of synthesizing vitamin D.  Exercise is also beneficial, for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, exercise can increase bone density, weight-bearing exercise or body balance flexibility exercise can reduce falls. However, it should be noted that exercise must be gradual to avoid sports injuries. In addition to nutrition and exercise, it is also necessary to quit smoking and limit alcohol, and avoid excessive consumption of carbonated beverages.  Secondly, to supplement sufficient calcium and vitamin D. Our residents are generally deficient in calcium, so in addition to the appropriate increase in the diet of calcium-containing foods, but also need additional calcium supplements. There are a lot of calcium supplements on the market, not the more expensive the better, but you need to pay attention to whether the content of elemental calcium in the calcium supplements you buy and take is appropriate. Vitamin D supplementation is also crucial. Vitamin D is like a transport vehicle for calcium, the absorption of calcium in the diet and the deposition of calcium into the bones all depend on the participation of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is very common in our population, especially now that women are very well protected from the sun, from head to toe, from summer to winter, and the lack of sunlight aggravates the vitamin D deficiency. The elderly are also the main group of people with vitamin D deficiency due to reduced outdoor activities and impaired absorption of vitamin D. Therefore, people who receive less sun exposure and the elderly need additional vitamin D supplements, and the specific supplementation needs to be guided by a doctor at a specialist clinic.  Of course, lifestyle modification, calcium and vitamin D supplementation are only basic measures to prevent and treat osteoporosis. If the diagnosis of osteoporosis is clear, or if fragility fractures have occurred, specialized anti-osteoporosis medications, such as bone resorption inhibitors and bone formation promoters, are needed. There are other medications, such as hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women. It is important to visit a specialist clinic for the specific medication to be used, so that the doctor can choose the appropriate medication according to the characteristics of the patient.  For the elderly, fall prevention is especially important. This involves paying attention to the safety of the living environment: indoor environment, try to keep the floor non-slip and free of clutter; place frequently used items within reach; put a lamp at the bedside and always turn on the light first when you get up at night. Be careful when walking outside, use a cane if you need to, and don’t be afraid to look bad.  Osteoporosis is also a chronic disease that needs our adequate attention to avoid risk factors. People at risk should have their bone density tested regularly, and for diagnosed osteoporosis, they should adhere to scientific medication and scientific treatment to fight a protracted battle.