Do you believe that fractures can occur when you lift your leg, shake your quilt, take a bumpy bus ride or even walk? These conditions are not uncommon in the elderly population with severe osteoporosis. For older women, especially postmenopausal women, compression fractures of the thoracolumbar spine can occur from minor external forces even without a history of significant trauma, leading to a visit to the doctor for severe pain in the low back. Why are elderly people prone to osteoporosis? Lower levels of sex hormones in the body: especially estrogen has a more pronounced effect on bones, thus more elderly women suffer from osteoporosis. Reduced calcium intake; insufficient vitamin D; reduced physical activity. Other: individual differences, lifestyle habits, diseases, and geographical race can also influence. What are the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis? How to check if you have osteoporosis? Osteoporosis usually has no obvious symptoms in the early stage, and the symptom expression in the later stage is not typical. However, when there is persistent soreness, dull pain, and weakness in several parts of the body (such as the waist, back, and shoulders), or when you notice a gradual shortening of your height or a gradual bending of your back, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The common method to determine osteoporosis is bone density measurement. Most hospitals use dual-energy X-ray bone densitometry to test the main measurement areas: lumbar spine, hip joint and whole body bone mass. The measurement method is safer, the scanning time is short, and the amount of radiation is very small. Moreover, the dose of absorbed X-rays during measurement is less than taking an X-ray chest film, which is simple, easy and painless, and the test results are available at that time. 1, when the T value of bone density is greater than -1 is normal; 2, T value between -1 and -2.5 is a reduction in bone mass (low bone mass); 3, T value less than -2.5 is osteoporosis. How to treat osteoporosis? The cause should be found from all aspects, and timely remedy and treatment. For postmenopausal women and men over 60 years old, if low bone density is found, nutrition and exercise should be strengthened. If osteoporosis is found to have developed, it should be treated as early as possible to prevent the condition from worsening and fractures from occurring. There are three main categories of drugs used for treatment: drugs that inhibit bone resorption (e.g. estrogen, calcitonin, bisphosphonates, etc.); drugs that promote bone formation (e.g. androgens, parathyroid hormone, etc.); and drugs that promote bone calcification (e.g. various calcium and vitamin D preparations, etc.). Specific medications also require detailed outpatient visits and regular review for individualized treatment. How to prevent osteoporosis? 1.Balanced diet: Eat an appropriate amount of protein and calcium-rich foods, vegetables and fruits, such as milk, fish, soy products; mainly vitamin C-rich fruits such as orange, citrus, grapefruit and kiwi; low-salt diet and less pickled foods, such as squash, preserved foods and canned foods, can reduce calcium loss; avoid smoking, alcoholism, excessive intake of caffeine and high phosphorus drinks. 2, moderate exercise: exercise can promote the absorption of calcium, reduce bone loss; exercise can promote the secretion of sex hormones, thus promoting the growth and development of bone; exercise can increase blood flow in the bone cortex and promote bone formation, improve bone density by increasing muscle strength, but also help to enhance the body’s responsiveness, improve balance function, reduce the risk of falls. The general principle of exercise is “vary from person to person, according to ability, gradual and persistent”, and the exercise chosen by middle-aged and elderly patients is generally based on aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, cycling, tai chi, mountain climbing, etc. The amount of exercise should not be too much to prevent the muscle from growing. The amount of exercise should not be too much to prevent muscle, ligament and joint injuries. 3, increase sunlight exposure: Chinese people’s diet contains very limited vitamin D, a large number of vitamin D relies on the skin to receive ultraviolet radiation from the sun after synthesis. Regular exposure to sunlight will play a key role in the production of vitamin D and calcium absorption. Encourage more outdoor activities to increase exposure to sunlight, with an average of at least 20 minutes of sunlight per day for normal people.