There are still many misunderstandings about osteoporosis or osteoporosis. However, prevention of this condition is extremely important. Osteoporosis can, after all, put a heavy burden on the mobility and quality of life of those affected.
Osteoporosis does not hurt
WHERE Osteoporosis is sometimes referred to as the silent bone thief. Until fractures occur, the disease remains completely symptom-free for the patient. And when a breakup occurs, it is in fact already too late. Typical fractures due to osteoporosis occur in the vertebrae, hips and wrists. When a fracture occurs without major trauma, in the event of a minor fall or lifting a heavy load, one should always be aware of osteoporosis. Back pain that persists should also be further investigated to rule out vertebral collapse.
Osteoporosis reduces bone density
WHERE It is precisely this reduction in bone density that makes the bones more brittle. New bone tissue is constantly being created in our bones and old bone tissue is broken down. In osteoporosis, there is an imbalance in this process. The osteoblasts, cells that build bone, are no longer sufficiently numerous and no longer able to cope with the osteoclasts, which are responsible for bone breakdown. This changes the internal structure of the bones and makes them more brittle.
Osteoporosis cannot be prevented
NOT TRUE A healthy lifestyle forms the basis for strong bones:
- a healthy diet, with an eye for sufficient calcium and vitamin D;
- enough exercise daily; exercise is an effective measure to prevent osteoporosis. By moving (preferably walking, walking, rather than cycling or swimming) calcium is stored in your bones. If you exercise too little, your calcium intake decreases.
- spend a lot of time outside to be sufficiently exposed to sunlight.
- Smoking and alcohol promote osteoporosis.
Calcium in vitamin D form and maintain bone tissue. The recommended dose of calcium is for adults950 mg per day and before young people between 11 and 18 years and elderly is becoming 1.150 mg calcium per day. They have a higher calcium requirement. After all, in young people the bones are in full development and in the elderly calcium is less well absorbed into the blood.
Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium from your diet. The main sources of vitamin D are: sunlight (as the main source), fish, dairy products fortified with vitamin D.
The risk of osteoporosis increases with age
WHERE As we age, less vitamin D is produced in the skin under the influence of sunlight, which in turn has consequences for the absorption of calcium. Women are more prone to osteoporosis after menopause, when the protective influence of the female hormones is lost. In case of premature menopause (before age 45), extra vigilance is required. However, heredity also plays an important role. When a woman has an osteoporotic hip fracture, her daughter is twice as likely to develop the condition.
There are no facilitating factors
NOT TRUE As mentioned before, a healthy lifestyle is essential. An unbalanced diet containing insufficient calcium (especially during adolescence) increases the risk of osteoporosis. Alcohol also has a negative influence on bone quality.
Low body weight is also a risk factor. The muscles and osteoblasts are insufficiently stimulated and due to a lack of adipose tissue, no androgens are converted into protective estrogens.
Osteoporosis can also be triggered by hyperthyroidism or by the use of certain drugs such as long-term use of corticoids and certain treatments given in the fight against breast and prostate cancer.
TRUE Osteoporosis is sometimes called the silent bone thief. Until fractures occur, the disease remains completely symptom-free for the patient. And when a breakup occurs, it is in fact already too late. Typical fractures due to osteoporosis occur in the vertebrae, hips and wrists. When a fracture occurs without major trauma, in the event of a minor fall or lifting a heavy load, one should always be aware of osteoporosis. Back pain that persists should also be further investigated to rule out vertebral collapse. TRUE Precisely this reduction in bone density makes bones more brittle. New bone tissue is constantly being created in our bones and old bone tissue is broken down. In osteoporosis, there is an imbalance in this process. The osteoblasts, cells that build bone, are no longer sufficiently numerous and no longer able to cope with the osteoclasts, which are responsible for bone breakdown. As a result, the internal structure of the bones changes and they become more brittle. FALSE A healthy lifestyle is the basis for strong bones: Calcium and vitamin D form the bone tissue and help maintain it. The recommended dose of calcium is 950 mg per day for adults and 1,150 mg per day for adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age and the elderly. They have a higher calcium requirement. After all, in young people the bones are in full development and in the elderly calcium is less well absorbed into the blood. Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium from your diet. The main sources of vitamin D are: sunlight (as the main source), fish, dairy products fortified with vitamin D. TRUE As we age, less vitamin D is produced in the skin under the influence of sunlight, which in turn has consequences for the absorption of calcium. Women are more prone to osteoporosis after menopause, when the protective influence of the female hormones is lost. In case of premature menopause (before age 45), extra vigilance is required. However, heredity also plays an important role. When a woman has an osteoporotic hip fracture, her daughter is twice as likely to develop the condition. FALSE As mentioned before, a healthy lifestyle is essential. An unbalanced diet containing insufficient calcium (especially during adolescence) increases the risk of osteoporosis. Alcohol also has a negative influence on bone quality. Low body weight is also a risk factor. The muscles and osteoblasts are insufficiently stimulated and due to a lack of adipose tissue, no androgens are converted into protective estrogens. Osteoporosis can also be provoked by hyperthyroidism or by the use of certain drugs such as long-term use of corticoids and certain treatments given in the fight against breast and prostate cancer.