Walking and peas can prevent osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, or osteoporosis, is a very common disease. Crawls without symptoms. The skeleton becomes weaker and pain comes with age, and you can also break bones more easily. Osteoporosis can cause a lot of pain in the back and vertebrae. Nowadays there are good medications that can relieve pain, but above all it is important to prevent osteoporosis.

It is estimated that 300,000 women in Sweden have osteoporosis. Every second woman and fourth man is at risk of breaking a bone due to osteoporosis during their lifetime. The risk of osteoporosis increases with age. It is often discovered when a patient over the age of 50 suffers a bone fracture or bone crack.

This is what you do to prevent osteoporosis

If you are middle-aged, it is important to prevent osteoporosis to avoid back pain later in life. Walking every day or jogging is best. Swimming and cycling do not place the same load on the skeleton, but they can improve balance and thus reduce the risk of falling. Keep in mind that other household chores are also important, for example gardening and cleaning.

We don’t notice osteoporosis that easily, but everyone can do something to prevent it, says Eva Sjoholm, fracture coordinator at the Orthopedic Clinic at Kristianstad Central Hospital.

It is possible to reduce the risk of osteoporosis through exercise and a varied diet. Eat a diet containing calcium, such as dairy products such as milk or cheese, peas, and broccoli. Smoking and alcohol are risk factors that can erode bones and contribute to osteoporosis. It is also important to get a daily dose of vitamin D.

– Postmenopausal women are at increased risk of osteoporosis. Eva Sjoholm says taking calcium and vitamin D and exercising can reduce the risk.

Good medicines are available

A lot can be done to prevent symptoms, but also to alleviate them. Patients with osteoporosis may need treatment with medications that strengthen bones and reduce the risk of bone fractures.
Osteoporosis patients receive customized medications combined with calcium and vitamin D.

– Today we have good medicines for building the skeleton. Patients can often be helped by medications that slow skeletal breakdown. This leads to improved quality of life over time, and there is no need to feel constant pain, says Eva Sjoholm.

Osteoporosis symptoms can develop “in silence” for many years, until you are older and in pain or have a fracture. Genetics also affects and it is important to know whether the parents had osteoporosis.

– As an older person, he may become shorter and notice that the vertebrae become compressed due to osteoporosis. We can intercept patients, for example, if they suffer fractures and require care. It is important to choose the right treatment for the patient and reduce the risk of further fractures, says Eva Sjoholm.

X-rays show osteoporosis

As fracture coordinator, Eva Sjoholm reviews lists of patients who have suffered fractures. It assesses risks in those who may need referral for bone density measurement due to the risk of osteoporosis.

– I receive lists of patients over 50 years of age who sought care in the emergency department when they received some so-called low-energy fractures. It could be patients who tripped in the woods or on the carpet at home. It is common for patients to fracture the hip, vertebra, shoulder, pelvis, or wrist due to osteoporosis.

With the help of a special X-ray machine, the fragility or strength of the skeleton is measured. Often the back or hip vertebrae are compressed due to osteoporosis. After measuring bone density, primary care is called to provide appropriate treatment.

Ulrika can walk long distances again

The patient with osteoporosis is Ulrika. She now knows that her osteoporosis is linked to genetic factors.

– My mother had osteoporosis and she told me that we children are at risk of developing the same problems later in life. I measured myself in my 60s when I noticed my height was starting to shrink. Now I get injections for osteoporosis. “I’m positive and feel relatively good,” she says.

She is 80 years old this year and goes for long walks every day.

-I feel better when I move. If I sit too much, it hurts. If you are still, you are not stressing the skeleton as much. It’s A and O from the beginning. Today’s youth should move more, this is very important!

Special training programs

Contact your health care center if you think you have osteoporosis. Physiotherapists have special exercise programs for patients who have suffered different types of bone fractures. Call phone number 1177 if you want health advice. Then you can get help evaluating your symptoms or help deciding where to seek care.

More about osteoporosis

• In Sweden, osteoporosis is not counted among the rheumatic diseases, but the disease is highly prevalent in rheumatic diseases, especially in those with inflammatory disease.
• Certain diseases or medications, for example if you suffer from rheumatism and need to take cortisone regularly, can also increase your risk of osteoporosis. Common medications for thyroid problems can increase your risk of osteoporosis.
• October 20 is World Osteoporosis Day, which is recognized, for example, by various osteoporosis associations or osteoporosis associations. This day has been organized internationally by IOS, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) since 1997. The aim is to raise awareness of osteoporosis, so since 1999 an annual campaign on this topic has been launched.
• Eva Sjoholm, fracture coordinator, tells visitors about osteoporosis and osteoporosis in the Central Hall, Kristianstad Central Hospital, CSK, Friday 20 October from 09.00 to 15.00. The Osteoporosis Patients Association talks about support and help.

Osteoporosis – Osteoporosis (1177.se) (1177.se)

margin. The name Ulrika is actually something else.