Is there a "thief" living inside me? [Health Talk in Everyday Life]

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic disease, causing weakened bones, making them prone to fractures. As we age, bone loss gradually occurs, making even minor trauma more likely to cause fractures.

 

The problem is that because the latency period is so long before complications appear, no one realizes they have osteoporosis. This is why osteoporosis is often called the "silent thief." Therefore, experts unanimously agree that it's crucial to pay attention to your bones and consistently manage them.

Bone is not static; it is a tissue that undergoes a constant cycle of absorption and regeneration throughout life. Approximately 70% of total bone mass is determined genetically, while the remaining 30% is influenced by environmental factors. Bone mass typically peaks in the 20s. Men generally have more bone mass than women, but bone mass declines with age in all individuals.

Professor Ha Jeong-hoon of the Department of Endocrinology at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital of the Catholic University of Korea said, "In men, a significant portion of bone loss is due to poor lifestyle habits such as drinking and lack of exercise." He added, "In women, bone loss increases significantly after menopause as female hormones drop sharply, and it occurs particularly frequently during the first five years of menopause."

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the National Health Insurance Service, the number of osteoporosis patients in Korea has reached nearly 1.2 million this year. This represents a 24% increase from 970,000 in 2018. As of last year, women accounted for approximately 1.12 million, or 94.4%, of osteoporosis patients. Men accounted for approximately 70,000, or 5.6%.

 

The problem is that only 10% of osteoporosis patients receive appropriate treatment, while the remaining 90% are left untreated. It's also consistently pointed out that it's rare to find cases where treatment is consistently maintained once initiated. Professor Ha stated, "Once a fracture occurs, the likelihood of another fracture is significantly high, ultimately lowering the quality of life. In particular, three to four out of ten people with a femur fracture die within a year, a mortality rate comparable to that of any other solid cancer."

 

Experts emphasize the importance of active efforts by patients to prevent fractures. Treatment options for osteoporosis include daily dosage forms, weekly dosage forms, monthly dosage forms, subcutaneous dosage forms every six months, and annual dosage forms.

Some say that it is more important to consistently engage in easy-to-do exercises in daily life to maintain bone health rather than relying on drug treatment.

 

Professor Ha stated, "Exercising at an appropriate intensity for at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week, is beneficial for bone health." He added, "Weight-bearing exercises, such as light rope jumping or light jogging, are particularly beneficial." He added, "To prevent falls, exercise that improves balance and muscle strength is essential." However, older osteoporosis patients should be cautious, as excessive exercise can actually increase the risk of falls.

According to the Korean Society for Bone and Bone Research, adults under 50 should consume 1,000 mg of calcium per day, and those over 50 should consume 1,200 mg. Calcium is abundant in milk, dairy products, and fish eaten with the bones. One cup of milk contains a whopping 224 mg of calcium, so drinking a glass of milk a day can significantly contribute to maintaining bone health.

 

In addition Vitamin D helps calcium to be absorbed well in the intestines. Adults over 50 are recommended to consume 800 IU of vitamin D daily. Vitamin D is abundant in oily fish like mackerel, tuna, and salmon, as well as cheese. Sufficient sunlight exposure also helps synthesize vitamin D. Simply exposing your arms and legs to sunlight for about 30 minutes daily between 10 AM and 3 PM, with your arms and legs exposed, can produce most of the vitamin D your body needs.

 

 

Professor Ha said, “Osteoporosis approaches silently, but the incidence rate increases noticeably starting at age 50,” and “As we live in an era where people live to be 100, we must make an effort to prevent fractures for half of our lives.”

 

 

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Osteoporosis comes without a sound.

If you like milk, milk...

Or maybe I should take some vitamin D

 

The incidence rate increases noticeably from the age of 50??

 

It's scary. It's like a hole in the bone.