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The mystery of broken bones: How to identify silent fracture crises?
Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease characterized by low bone density and deterioration of the microarchitecture of bone tissue, causing bones to become more porous and therefore increasing the risk of fractures. According to new research, the disease has become the most common cause of broken bones in the elderly, especially in the bones of the spine, forearm, wrist and hip. However, people often do not have any noticeable symptoms until a fracture occurs.
When bones weaken to a certain extent, even slight pressure or random movement can cause a fracture.
In many cases, healing of a fracture may be accompanied by ongoing chronic pain and reduced ability to carry out daily activities. According to research, osteoporosis can be caused by a number of factors, including lower than normal maximum bone mass and faster than normal bone loss. After menopause, bone loss accelerates as estrogen levels drop, while men see a similar effect due to lower testosterone levels.
Silent symptoms: Why is osteoporosis often ignored?
It is worth emphasizing that most people have no idea they have osteoporosis until the moment they break a bone. These are called fragility fractures and occur in situations where healthy people would not normally break a bone.
Fragility fractures are common in the spine, ribs, hips, and wrists and occur from falls from standing height or from everyday activities, such as lifting a heavy object or simply coughing.
This invisible crisis may not only lead to fractures, but also have long-term effects on the mobility and quality of life of the elderly, leading to more serious health problems and economic burdens.
Age and Osteoporosis: Dangers as We Age
The incidence of osteoporosis is relatively high as people age, especially women. According to data, about 15% of white women over 50 years old are affected by osteoporosis, and the incidence rate even rises to 70% among people over 80 years old. In addition to age, the main risk factors for these diseases include gender, race, family history and body structure.
The risk factors for osteoporosis can be roughly divided into two categories: non-adjustable and adjustable, among which age and gender are the most important non-adjustable risk factors.
How to recognize crisis: fracture risk assessment and prevention
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry bone density is recommended for women over 65 years of age, while women with a family history or other risk factors should have a clinical FRAX assessment at age 50 years.
Evaluation of fracture risk requires consideration of multiple factors, such as bone density, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, weight and gender. Related assessment tools such as the FRAX calculator, Garvan FRC calculator and QFracture are all tools worth referring to.
Among people who have had a fracture, treatment with bisphosphonates helps reduce the risk of future fractures, but the effect is less in those who have not yet had a fracture.
Take the path to prevention: Lifestyle changes
To reduce the effects of osteoporosis, maintaining a good diet, exercising regularly and avoiding falls are important preventive measures. Specifically, increasing calcium and vitamin D intake is critical. In addition, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake can also help improve bone health.
In medicine, invisible osteoporosis has quickly become a global health issue. Studies and data from around the world show that the number of people suffering from this condition is rising every year, especially among people of retirement age. As we get older, it becomes more and more necessary to pay attention to this issue.
Conclusion: Future Challenges and Issues
Overall, osteoporosis is a multifaceted problem that involves a combination of biology, environmental factors, and lifestyle. As our understanding of this disease deepens, many challenges remain in the future in terms of treatment and prevention. Faced with this situation, are all sectors ready to take action to reduce the impact of osteoporosis?
