I. What is osteoporosis?
For some reasons, such as old age, hormone reduction, etc. can lead to a gradual decrease in the minerals contained in the bone, and if the reduction reaches a certain level, the bone trabeculae will break, so that the bones will become fragile and also prone to fracture.
Many people mistakenly believe that because the bones do not hurt, they will not get osteoporosis. When they find themselves with back pain before they go to the clinic, especially when a fracture occurs, they often have missed the best time for treatment.
II. What are the common manifestations of osteoporosis?
General weakness, low back pain, or pain in other areas such as fingers and toes, as well as shortening of body length, hunchback, posterior scoliosis, chicken chest, etc. And the most serious one, is the potential great risk of fracture.
III. What is the classification of osteoporosis?
Primary osteoporosis: includes postmenopausal and senile osteoporosis in women. There is also secondary osteoporosis: it is osteoporosis induced by other diseases or drugs, such as certain glucocorticoid drugs and oral aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer patients after surgery: Reninde, Flon, Anoxin, Fury, etc.
IV. What are the dangers of osteoporosis?
It is a disease that exists quietly. Gradually increasing bone pain is a long-term psychological and physical damage to patients. And fracture especially spine and lower limb fracture makes the patient incapacitated and bedridden for a long time, if not properly cared for, the patient develops embolism, pneumonia, decubitus ulcer, infection and other complications, and for many elderly people, these complications caused by fracture are often fatal.
V. How do I know if I have osteoporosis?
Tell your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms; have regular bone density tests; and observe the condition of your bones by taking pictures.
VI. What is the relationship between breast cancer and osteoporosis?
Many breast cancer patients are post-menopausal middle-aged and elderly women who are themselves at high risk of osteoporosis; if you are on post-operative endocrine therapy and taking medication to reduce estrogen levels, you should take osteoporosis absolutely seriously! This is called CTIBL (cancer treatment induced bone loss).
VII. What are the three levels of prevention of osteoporosis?
Primary prevention: Pay attention to a proper diet and consume more foods with high calcium content.
Secondary prevention: middle-aged and elderly people, especially postmenopausal women, should have an annual bone density check.
Tertiary prevention: Active medication to inhibit bone resorption (estrogen, calcitonin, bisphosphonates) should be administered for degenerative osteoporosis.
VIII. Myths about calcium preparations for osteoporosis?
Some people think that osteoporosis is calcium deficiency and that calcium supplementation is sufficient to treat osteoporosis, which is wrong. Calcium supplementation is only a basic treatment, and excessive calcium supplementation will not turn bones, but will cause complications such as kidney stones and hypercalcemia. Therefore, calcium supplementation should be done carefully, so that it is appropriate but not excessive, preferably under the doctor’s until. Calcium supplementation alone cannot prevent and treat osteoporosis, but must be accompanied by a truly effective treatment.
IX. What are the drugs commonly used to treat osteoporosis?
There are mainly drugs that inhibit bone resorption and reduce bone conversion, such as estrogen, calcitonin, bisphosphonates, etc. Drugs that promote bone formation include fluoride, anabolic steroids and parathyroid hormone, etc. Calcium and vitamin D and derivatives are only basic supplements.