[아이뉴스24 정종오 기자] Osteoporosis, in which bones are weakened, does not have obvious prognostic symptoms. Osteoporosis can be suspected by several symptoms.
In order to have a strong grip, the strength of the muscles holding the bones must be good, and muscle health is closely related to bone health. If it is difficult to open the fruit jam container or turn the doorknob, it is a sign that the grip strength is weak. Hearing is also a sign that bones are weakening with aging. When the bones that make up the ear’s cochlea become weak, they break down and affect sensory nerve cells, increasing the risk of hearing loss.
Gradual hearing loss is a natural symptom of aging, but if you suddenly lose your hearing or have sudden hearing loss in your 50s, you should suspect osteoporosis. It is also associated with periodontal disease. When other bones are weakened, the gum bone also weakens, causing periodontal disease.
In addition, if your height has decreased over the past 3 years or your toenails are broken frequently, you should suspect that it is a symptom of weakened bones.
According to statistical data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of osteoporotic patients with decreased bone mass and density increased from 906,631 in 2017 to 1,126,861 in 2021. 40% of women over the age of 50 and 10% of men have osteoporosis.
Osteoporotic fractures from falls are as common in summer as in winter. When it rains and the floor gets wet, it is more slippery than an icy road, making it easy for young people to slip as well. Older people who lose their sense of balance as they get older are more at risk.
The most common reason for falls in summer is because of shoes. Sandals or slippers can become slippery, and the shoes do not support the bones, so many fractures occur after a fall. Osteoporosis occurs as more cells destroy bones than cells that make them with age. If you can’t sleep in the heat due to the tropical night, it is difficult to suppress osteoclasts that destroy bones.
If you do not get a good night’s sleep, a hormone called calcitonin decreases, and calcitonin functions to inhibit bone resorption by osteoclasts. Alcohol found in tropical nights is also harmful. It is thought to help sleep, but it interferes with deep sleep and the diuretic effect of alcohol causes water loss. Bone is composed of 45% calcium and minerals, 34% protein, and 20% water, so if there is a problem of hydration in summer, it affects bone health.
Kim Tae-hyeon, director of the Orthopedic Surgery Department at Mokdong Himchan Hospital, said, “People who are underweight are more likely to develop osteoporosis than normal weight, and those who lack exercise are also at high risk. “Efforts should be made to prevent the risk of fractures by providing sufficient minerals and vitamin D.”
◆Know this to keep your bones healthy.
Calcium and vitamin D deficiency leads to osteoporosis because the body can compensate by decomposing bones when there is not enough calcium. Calcium is best obtained through food. Dairy products such as anchovies and milk, seaweed, etc., and protein-rich meals that help bone formation are recommended.
Taking calcium supplements is okay if you have osteoporosis, but you should be careful if you have other diseases. The Korean Society of Bone Metabolism explains that supplementing calcium through calcium supplements helps to improve bone density, but increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
High-dose calcium supplements are a problem. When calcium builds up in the blood vessels, the blood vessels become hard and block blood flow, which can worsen cardiovascular disease. Therefore, if you have a chronic disease, it is necessary to consult with your doctor before taking calcium from food or taking calcium supplements.
Vitamin D supplementation should also be considered. Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus, and for the formation and maintenance of bones. Sun exposure naturally produces vitamin D, but as we age, our ability to synthesize decreases, so supplements can be effective. Above all, bones need external stimulation to become stronger. You should try to do exercises that feel gravity, such as easy walking or lifting dumbbells.
/Reporter Jeong Jong-oh([email protected])<!–
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