Prevention of fractures in old age
As the life expectancy of the world population increases, the importance of the problem of osteoporosis and fractures increases.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become brittle and brittle, which increases the risk of fractures. This happens when minerals, such as calcium, are removed from the bone tissue faster than the body can replace them.
According to world statistics, every third woman and every fifth man over the age of 50 suffers from osteoporosis.
Often referred to as a "silent" disease, osteoporosis has virtually no symptoms and is rarely diagnosed before fractures appear. Osteoporosis is a disease, and fractures are its result, which we are trying to prevent.
Why does osteoporosis develop in old age?
Human bones are a living tissue that is constantly in a state of self-renewal. As we age, the balance shifts from the predominance of the synthesis of new bone (osteogenesis) tissue towards its destruction (resorption). Therefore, aging bones become thinner and more brittle. This is especially true for menopause in women and for a decrease in the levels of steroid sex hormones, such as testosterone, in men.
"Primary osteoporosis" is a degradation of bone tissue caused by aging or hormonal manifestations of aging, such as a decrease in the levels of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. These hormones are involved in the renewal of bone tissue that occurs throughout life.
"Secondary osteoporosis" develops as a result of a disease (for example, gluten enteropathy, accompanied by a violation of calcium absorption) or as a side effect of therapy for another disease.
Thinned bones or bones with altered structure are easier to break. Most fractures occur as a result of falls from a standing position. The exceptions are vertebral fractures that occur without falls or significant incidents.
Why do older people stumble and fall?
There are many reasons for the predisposition of older people to falls. These include side effects of a number of medications, visual disturbances, as well as deterioration of the sense of balance and age-related decline in muscle mass and strength.
The risk of fractures due to falls is further aggravated by osteoporosis. Genetic features also contribute to the risk of fractures. If one of the parents of a person had a hip fracture, this person is also at risk. The most common localization of fractures in the elderly include: femoral neck, vertebrae, wrist and humerus.
The results of a recent study indicate that after fractures, the quality of life of most elderly people does not recover to the previous level even 18 months after the injury.
Prevention of osteoporosis and falls
Preventing falls of elderly people is an important method of preventing the consequences of osteoporosis. Adults with a good sense of balance and muscle strength are in many cases able to independently prevent falling when tripping. In this regard, physical exercises that improve the sense of balance (such as Chinese Tai Chi gymnastics) and contribute to the preservation of muscle mass (lifting weights and exercises with weights) are of great benefit.
To prevent osteoporosis, it is necessary to exercise regularly, consume a sufficient amount of calcium-containing foods (at least three servings of dairy products per day or equivalent) and maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D in the blood.
Exposure to sunlight on the skin is the main source of vitamin D, however, sunbathing should be treated with caution, as they increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Recommendations in this case vary depending on the type of skin, geographical latitude and time of year.
Lifestyle factors such as nutritional quality and exercise can play a significant role in maintaining bone health. If an elderly person is at an increased risk for fractures, he can discuss with his doctor the expediency of using medications that slow down the age-related degradation of bones. Such drugs can reduce the risk of fractures by half and are much more effective than the listed lifestyle factors.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of The Conversation: Why older people get osteoporosis and have falls.
22.02.2017