What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on September 26, 2024
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The main symptom of osteoporosis is pain, including pain in the limbs, spine, and pelvic area. Sometimes, the pain may worsen during activities such as walking. Even light activities like climbing stairs, hiking, or even sneezing can cause fractures due to osteoporosis, leading to increased pain.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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What should I do about osteoporosis?

Once osteoporosis is diagnosed, the first step is to change lifestyle habits. For example, if someone likes to drink strong tea and coffee and dislikes exercise, these unhealthy habits should be changed. Additionally, it's beneficial to get more sun exposure, and to supplement the treatment with calcium and vitamin D. Then, it is necessary to visit the hospital and consult a specialized clinic for osteoporosis or the department of metabolic endocrinology for targeted medical intervention, to prevent the condition from worsening and avoid fractures.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Causes of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is primarily characterized by a reduction in bone mass, deterioration of bone tissue microstructure, and increased bone fragility, leading to an increased risk of fractures. It is a metabolic bone disease. Some cases are primary, also referred to as postmenopausal osteoporosis, which generally lacks specific causes and is mainly linked to estrogen deficiency. There is also a category known as secondary osteoporosis, which has a variety of causes, primarily secondary to metabolic endocrine disorders such as hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, diabetes, and growth hormone deficiency. Additionally, some hematologic disorders, such as leukemia and lymphoma, can lead to osteoporosis. There are also some less common or rare diseases like osteogenesis imperfecta and scurvy that can cause osteoporosis. Furthermore, long-term use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and anticonvulsants, can lead to osteoporosis. Kidney diseases, such as chronic renal failure and renal tubular acidosis, can also cause osteoporosis.

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Written by Xie Yi Song
Orthopedics
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What to eat for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is commonly seen in elderly people and mainly refers to a reduction in bone tissue per unit volume, which affects the structure and function of bones. To prevent and treat osteoporosis, it is important to supplement various nutritional elements in daily life, such as calcium, phosphorus, protein, fats, and vitamin D. So, what is good to eat for osteoporosis? Foods rich in calcium are recommended, including milk, milk powder, oysters, eggs, soybeans and soy products, pork bone soup, fish, shrimp, and dried scallops, and should be consumed more frequently. Additionally, foods like carrots, Chinese cabbage, celery, rapeseed, garlic sprouts, leeks, jujube, persimmons, and olives also contain a good amount of calcium and should be included in the diet. Supplementing vitamin D: Vitamin D, after being exposed to ultraviolet sunlight, is an essential substance that promotes the calcification of bones. Taking vitamin D can increase the intestinal absorption of calcium and help in its deposition in the bones, making them stronger. Therefore, patients with osteoporosis should regularly take vitamin D and frequently sunbathe.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Dietary taboos for osteoporosis

Dietary therapy for osteoporosis is an important treatment method. First, eat foods that are high in calcium. Second, consume high protein diets; third, moderately supplement vitamins. Avoid high-salt diets, because the main component of salt, sodium chloride, affects bone metabolism. Sodium chloride primarily increases the excretion of calcium, meaning that higher levels of sodium chloride lead to higher levels of calcium excretion. Therefore, high sodium diets can increase the amount of calcium excreted in urine; excessive intake of sodium chloride can lead to further loss of calcium. Thus, it is essential to focus on a low-sodium diet.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Osteoporosis lacks what element?

Osteoporosis refers to a systemic skeletal disease characterized by decreased bone density and strength, resulting in increased bone fragility and potential fractures. There are primarily two types of osteoporosis: primary and secondary. Primary osteoporosis commonly occurs in postmenopausal women and as a result of aging and degenerative changes; secondary osteoporosis sometimes refers to the condition developing after fractures due to prolonged immobilization. Osteoporosis mainly arises from a deficiency in the trace elements calcium and phosphorus, which are crucial components of bone. A lack of these substances can alter bone structure and lead to osteoporosis.