Daedong Hospital Warns of Fractures Due to Carelessness, Urges Active Treatment with Lifestyle Improvement and Calcium Supplementation
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Although it is a time to refrain from going out due to COVID-19, it is the season inviting spring outings.
Recently, Mrs. A, a housewife in her 50s who experienced menopause, went hiking with her family a few days ago to refresh herself for spring, but momentary carelessness caused her to lose balance and fall on a slope.
She put her hand on the ground and injured her wrist. At first, the pain was mild, so she did not take it seriously and only applied compresses, but as time passed, the pain worsened, and she eventually visited a nearby orthopedic clinic.
After examination, she was diagnosed with osteoporosis, which weakened the strength of her bones and led to a fracture. She underwent fracture surgery and is currently receiving treatment.
Osteoporosis literally means a condition where the bones have many holes, making them easily broken or damaged.
Many people tend to dismiss it as a disease that naturally comes with age, but since it progresses without special symptoms, it can lead to life-threatening fractures, so special caution is required.
According to data released by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients treated for osteoporosis increased by 26.3%, from 854,215 in 2016 to 1,079,548 in 2019.
The proportion of women (94.4%) was overwhelmingly higher than that of men (5.6%).
In women, bone size is relatively smaller than in men, and after menopause, due to a decrease in estrogen, bone density tends to weaken rapidly.
Besides aging and hormonal changes, osteoporosis can also occur due to medications or diseases that affect bone metabolism.
Recently, not only middle-aged and elderly people over their 50s but also adult women have shown an increasing trend in osteoporosis due to nutritional deficiencies caused by excessive dieting.
As in Mrs. A's case, women over 50 who have passed menopause should be cautious of fractures caused by falls during hiking or exercise.
Most people unconsciously put their hands on the ground when falling, and the weight is placed on the wrist and forearm, making the bones easily break.
When falling, bending the knees and sitting down on the spot or lowering the body and placing the center of gravity forward is a posture that can prevent fractures.
When hiking, using a cane or stick to maintain balance and support weight on slopes helps protect the knee joints and prevent accidents.
Osteoporosis is diagnosed by comparing bone density values using bone density testing equipment with average values, and treatment is provided through medications that inhibit bone resorption or promote bone formation, depending on the medical professional's judgment.
Daedong Hospital Joint Center, Chief Physician Jin-Hyeok Seo (Orthopedic Specialist). [Image Source=Daedong Hospital]
Dr. Seo Jin-hyeok, head of the Joint Center at Daedong Hospital (Orthopedic Specialist), said, “Osteoporosis is nicknamed the silent bone thief because it has no symptoms at all, so it is important for those in menopause over their 50s to regularly check their bone density to understand their condition.”
Dr. Seo advised, “If osteoporosis has already progressed and bone strength is low, bones can easily break even with minor external forces, so prevention and management of osteoporosis in daily life are necessary.”
To prevent osteoporosis, it is recommended to consume calcium-rich foods such as milk, anchovies, and dairy products, and to get some sunlight exposure to intake vitamin D, which is a nutrient that determines bone quality.
Since vitamin D is difficult to supplement through regular food intake, if you are in an environment where you cannot get enough sunlight, consider health supplements. Also, even if you consume good nutrients, appropriate stimulation to the bones is necessary to maintain bone quality, so it is good to exercise for about 30 minutes a day according to your ability.
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