In 1998, the world health organization (who) designated 20 october of each year as world osteoporosis day, aimed at raising awareness of osteoporosis. On the occasion of world osteoporosis day on 20 october of this year, the vice-president and director of osteoporosis at the fourth hospital of anhui medical university stated that further education on osteoporosis was needed to make society more aware of the universality and harmful nature of osteoporosis, so that more people with osteoporosis could be detected early and diagnosed in order to be treated in a timely manner and to minimize the harm that osteoporosis poses to the elderly。
I. What is osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a systemic osteoporosis that is characterized by reduced bone mass and fine structural damage to the bone, manifested in increased impregnability and reduced strength of the bone, resulting in a significant increase in the risk of fractures, even in the case of minor or no injuries. More women than men are common among post-menopausal women and the elderly。
Classification of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis falls into three categories:
1. Pregenital osteoporosis, which is a biological degenerative disease inherent in age. Also divided into osteoporosis after menopause and osteoporosis in old age. This represents 85 to 90 per cent of the total number of cases, and that is what we are focusing on today。
2. Congenital osteoporosis, caused by disease or medical factors, is only 10-15 per cent。
3. Specific osteoporosis, the cause of which is less clear, is mostly a genetic family history, which is a minority。
Iii. Status and hazards of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis has become the main disease afflicting the elderly population, and its incidence has been closely associated with diabetes and dementia, ranking third in the category of old age diseases. According to data, about 30 per cent of women over 45 years of age suffer from osteoporosis of varying degrees, while women over 75 years of age suffer from osteoporosis of up to 90 per cent. Osteoporosis has become an epidemic affecting the quality of life of older persons, with multiple health hazards, but the greatest harm is still prone to fractures, with a prevalence of approximately 27. 5 per cent-32. 6 per cent, resulting in many disabilities. Of these, 50 per cent require full-time care and 20 per cent require permanent care. In addition, about 15 per cent of patients still die from complications. Survivors also experience a significant decline in the quality of life due to disability, which places a heavy burden on families and societies. We are now the country with the largest number of osteoporosis patients in the world, with about 90 million, or about 7 per cent of the population。
Iv. Clinical symptoms of osteoporosis
1. Pain. About 70-80 per cent of patients with primary osteoporosis suffer from pain, including muscle pain, bone pain and more visible backs. It is clear when they are standing up or sitting for a long time, when the day is reduced, when the night and the morning wakes up, and when the weight is heavy and the weight is increased。
2. Shorter height, deformation of the spine, camelback. The spinal vertebrae is reduced in bone count, its strength is reduced, it is reduced by weight and weight, and it is reduced by year。
Three, fracture. This is the most common and most serious complication of osteoporosis. A slight external force and trauma can result in fractures as a result of increased impregnability. The most common “three fractures” are those at the far end of the bone scratch, the spine and the hip。
V. Misdirection of osteoporosis
In view of the extensive contacts with patients and their families that have taken place over the years, there are certain errors in the perception and treatment of osteoporosis among the population, as shown below:
1 osteoporosis is a distant and alien term for most people (many people have no idea what osteoporosis is)。
2. Osteoporosis plus calcium。
3. All-body discomfort caused by osteoporosis, muscle pain, bone pain, considered to be “rheumatism, meningitis, etc.”, long-term administration of painkillers, corrosive drugs, covering up symptoms, and many side effects, such as digestive haemorrhage, damage to liver and kidney functions, etc。
4. Abrasions on the back, joint pain, movement disorder resulting from a slight fracture are considered to be sprains, blindly carried out with liftings, massages and repositioning. The situation has been aggravated and treatment delayed, with serious consequences。
Vi. Measures to combat osteoporosis
As stated earlier, congenital osteoporosis is a physical degenerative disease that inevitably occurs with age. Just like everyone's natural ageing. All we can do is to use scientific methods to slow it down, reduce symptoms, prevent fractures and improve the quality of life. Prevention methods vary according to age. The main emphasis is on implementing three levels of prevention。
First level of prevention: from children and young people, care should be taken about rational diets, more phosphorous and calcium food, more green leaves and vegetables, fresh fruits, more physical exercise, more daily bathing, less smoking and less drinking. Absorption to preserve the calcium in the body as far as possible, enriching the calcium bank and increasing the bone peak to the maximum is the best measure to prevent primary osteoporosis。
Second level of prevention: the loss of bones accelerates when people reach the middle age, especially women, after menopause. An annual bone density check, if available, allows for a small dose of estrogen substitution therapy, long-term preventive calcium supplementation, active vitd or oral osteoporosis. It also actively treats diseases related to osteoporosis, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, etc。
3. Third level of prevention: in addition to treatment for primary osteoporosis, diphosphate can be administered to persons who are already suffering from primary osteoporosis, inhibiting osteoporosis, and strengthening the prevention of fractures, taking care to prevent fall, trip and bump. In cases where a fracture has occurred, active surgery should be carried out, with a strong internal fixation, early activity, functional rehabilitation and reduction of the disability rate, if permitted。
Vii. Recommendations
Persons aged 1 and over, especially women, suffer from osteoporosis to varying degrees, which increases with age。
2. Treatment of osteoporosis is a comprehensive life-long treatment, including physical exercise, diet, medication, etc., without standardized treatment and three days of fishing and two days of tanning, which will not work well。
Although osteoporosis does not directly cause death in most cases, complications from prolonged bed rest after fracture can lead to death。
4. Old people suffer minor traumas or post-graft pain in their backs, hips, wrists and movement restrictions, which require attention from their families and prompt access to a regular hospital, first with a clear diagnosis and, in the case of fractures, with regular treatment. Do not blindly adopt inappropriate treatments to avoid delays。
It is important to prevent wrestling, which is the direct cause of fractures. Older persons are prone to wrestling for reasons such as reduced muscle strength, restricted joint function, unstable walking and poor vision. It is hoped that older persons will be able to stay as long as possible when the wind is raining, the weather is cold, the roads are frozen. Reducing the risk factor of wrestling indoors, where the bathroom is a high incidence of wrestling in the family, it is recommended to put on a skit, to put on an arm, and to clean up the area in a timely manner. Keep the aisle wide open and clean up the mess. Lights should be lit at night, lights should be turned on at night。
In sum, primary osteoporosis is a natural disease with age. It is important that we face it in an open manner, actively adopt preventive and curative measures, prevent fractures, minimize harm and enable older persons to live a happy and healthy old age。
