Osteoporosis, the main cause of declining bone health, is a condition characterized by a decrease in bone density, increasing the risk of fracture. The dynamic nature of bones involves the continuous creation and breakdown of tissue. In order to maintain bone health, a balance between the activities of osteoblasts, responsible for bone creation, and osteoclasts, responsible for bone breakdown, is essential. When osteoblasts fail to perform their function, holes develop in the bone, leading to a decrease in bone density, a condition known as osteoporosis.
Individuals with osteoporosis experience a decrease in bone density, making them more susceptible to fractures even from minor falls or impacts. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines osteoporosis as a disease in which bones become weak and prone to breaking.
It is important to pay attention to osteoporosis in middle-aged women, particularly those who are concerned about weight loss or going through menopause. These women are at a higher risk of losing bone density and experiencing fractures due to osteoporosis.
Extreme dieting poses a significant risk for osteoporosis, as it can result in a decline in osteoblast function and hinder proper bone growth due to inadequate nutrition.
Similarly, middle-aged women undergoing menopause face a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. With the decrease in female hormones, specifically estrogen, after menopause, there is a greater likelihood of decreased bone density. Estrogen plays a vital role in bone metabolism, bone density maintenance, and the absorption of calcium in the body. Therefore, the decline in female hormones during menopause can lead to a decline in bone density.
One challenge is the difficulty in recognizing the occurrence of osteoporosis. Regular bone density checks are advisable to diagnose osteoporosis and identify the risk of fractures in advance. People who have experienced low-impact fractures, height loss, engage in heavy smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, have diabetes, suffer from back pain or rheumatoid arthritis, or have endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism should consider regular bone density checks. Pre- and post-menopausal women experiencing significant hormonal changes are also recommended to undergo testing.
The Director of Ysbyty Godo-il Hospital emphasized that the range of injection treatments for osteoporosis has expanded in recent times. Starting injection treatments every three to six months, depending on the individual’s situation, can be an effective approach to improve symptoms.
It is crucial to take osteoporosis seriously and address it proactively to prevent further complications. Regular bone density checks and appropriate medical interventions can make a significant difference in maintaining bone health and reducing the risk of fractures.
Today’s Medical Reporter:
Junsu Kim (junsoo@mdtoday.co.kr)
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
[메디컬투데이=김준수 기자] Osteoporosis is considered to be the main cause of declining bone health. Osteoporosis is a condition where bone density decreases, increasing the likelihood of fracture. Bones do not stay still and are characterized by repeated tissue creation and breakdown. At this stage, the activities of osteoblasts, which create bone, and osteoclasts, which break down bone, must be balanced. However, when osteoblasts do not perform their function, holes form in the bone, leading to a decrease in bone density, which is defined as osteoporosis.
When osteoporosis occurs, bone density decreases, increasing the risk of fracture. In fact, patients with osteoporosis can easily break their bones due to a small fall or impact due to a decrease in bone density. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines osteoporosis as ‘a disease in which bones become weak and tend to break’.
Among them, attention should be paid to osteoporosis in middle-aged women. Women who are concerned about losing weight or middle-aged women going through menopause are more likely to lose bone density and are at risk of fractures due to osteoporosis.
In particular, women aiming to lose weight should be careful about osteoporosis. This is because extreme dieting can cause a decline in osteoblast function. In other words, it promotes osteoporosis due to poor bone growth due to lack of nutrition.
The same goes for middle-aged women going through menopause. This is because female hormones decrease after menopause, causing menopausal osteoporosis. Estrogen, a female hormone, is characterized by its role in promoting neurons and activating the transmission of information to brain cells, as well as contributing to the absorption of calcium in the body. In particular, estrogen is directly involved in bone metabolism and the maintenance of bone density. Therefore, as female hormones decrease after menopause, there is a high possibility that bone density will decrease.
▲ Godo-il Hospital Director (Photo = Provided by Godo-il Hospital)
A bigger problem is that it is difficult to recognize the fact that osteoporosis has occurred. Therefore, it is advisable to cure osteoporosis by carrying out regular bone density checks.
A bone densitometer checks bone density and helps diagnose osteoporosis and identify the risk of fracture in advance. If you have experienced a low impact fracture, if you are shorter than in the past, if you smoke or drink a lot, if you suffer from diabetes, if you suffer from back pain or rheumatoid arthritis, if you have endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism If you suffer from a disease caused by a system abnormality, regular bone density checks are recommended. Pre- and post-menopausal women with significant hormonal changes are also eligible for testing.
The Director of Ysbyty Godo-il said, “Recently, the range of injection treatments that can be accepted even if you have osteoporosis is expanding. “Starting an injection treatment once every three months or once every six months, depending on the situation, is one way to expect an improvement in symptoms,” he explained.
Today’s Medical Reporter Junsu Kim (junsoo@mdtoday.co.kr)
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
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