Osteoporosis, as defined at the European Conference on Osteoporosis in 1990, is a disease characterized by low bone mass, making bones fragile and leading to fractures. Osteoporosis is a debilitating condition that impacts public health, particularly in developed countries with high living standards and affluent economic conditions.
According to author Riggs, during a woman’s lifetime, she will lose about 35% of her cortical bone and approximately 50% of her trabecular bone, while men lose less bone, roughly two-thirds. Notably, the rapid bone loss phase in women typically occurs after menopause.
The signs of osteoporosis: In older adults in general and postmenopausal women specifically, symptoms of osteoporosis often manifest as follows:
– Pain is primarily in the spine; osteoporosis rarely causes pain in the limbs. Symptoms of pain in the thoracic and lumbar spine often occur after a sudden compressive action or light exertion, or another unusual movement in the spine.
– The disease progresses silently over many years, gradually leading to spinal curvature, decreased height, brittle bones, and resulting in fractures, particularly common in the neck of the femur, humeral neck, ribs, spine, pelvis, etc. This can cause many dangerous complications due to prolonged immobility.
Therefore, early detection and prevention of osteoporosis in older adults, especially women, is crucial. According to Professor Tran Duc Tho, Director of the Vietnam Geriatric Institute, the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women includes:
1. Diet: It is essential to provide adequate energy and sufficient calcium (eggs and milk are rich in calcium). The diet should include 100 grams of meat or fish, and daily consumption of 200ml of fresh milk or two yogurt cups is recommended.
2. Exercise Therapy: Lack of activity or prolonged bed rest can worsen osteoporosis. Therefore, if rest is necessary, complete immobility should be avoided; gentle and reasonable passive movement of the limbs is advised.
3. Estrogen and Progesterone Therapy: Preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women by taking Estrogen and Progesterone cyclically for 10-20 days each month. Many authors also consider Estrogen treatment as an ideal method for preventing bone loss.
4. Calcium Therapy: Taking calcium at a dose of 500-700mg/day to supplement calcium levels after menopause and reduce the incidence of fractures due to bone loss.
According to Professor Tran Duc Tho, for postmenopausal women with metabolic disorders and obesity, the osteoporosis prevention regimen is as follows:
- Estrone 50mg for 10 days and Progesterone for the next 5 days.
- Calcium powder 2g/day.
- Vitamin D2 500 IU, 2 tablets/day or Rocaltrol 0.25 micrograms/day.
- Sterogyn, intramuscular injection, 1 ampoule/month.
Dr. Bach Long
