With the increasing aging population, osteoporosis has become one of the most concerning health issues for people. However, due to insufficient understanding of osteoporosis, many people easily fall into misconceptions. Let's take a closer look at the misconceptions about osteoporosis.
Misconception 1: Not distinguishing the causes of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can be divided into two major types: primary osteoporosis and secondary osteoporosis. Primary osteoporosis includes osteoporosis that occurs after menopause in women and osteoporosis in elderly men. Secondary osteoporosis is caused by certain diseases or factors such as medication. Different types of osteoporosis require different treatment methods, and it is important not to confuse them and simply supplement calcium, as complications may arise.
Misconception 2: Only the elderly suffer from osteoporosis
Many elderly people mistakenly believe that as they age, their bones become brittle, so they need to take calcium supplements to prevent and treat osteoporosis. However, this is not the case. Both men and women generally reach their peak bone mass, which is the highest amount of bone they will have in their lifetime, around the age of 30-35. After that, bone loss begins, especially in women after menopause. In the 1-10 years after menopause, the rate of bone loss significantly increases. Men do not experience a rapid bone loss period.
Therefore, in order to have strong bones in old age, it is important to build a solid foundation before the age of 35. The more bone mass you have, the more you will retain in old age. Therefore, excessive calcium supplementation in the elderly cannot reverse the trend of bone loss and cannot cure osteoporosis.
Misconception 3: Osteoporosis is a minor illness
Osteoporosis is not a minor illness and should not be taken lightly. Osteoporosis is not just about lower back pain and leg pain. Once a fragility fracture occurs, especially a hip fracture in elderly patients, it can lead to prolonged bed rest and a high mortality rate.
Misconception 4: Treating osteoporosis is just about calcium supplementation
Simply put, osteoporosis is an abnormality in bone metabolism, where bone resorption outweighs bone formation and the rate of bone absorption exceeds the rate of bone formation. Therefore, the treatment of osteoporosis is not just about calcium supplementation, but a comprehensive approach to improving bone mass, enhancing bone strength, and preventing fractures. Patients should seek diagnosis and treatment at a reputable hospital.
Misconception 5: The more calcium, the better
Many elderly people mistakenly believe that the more calcium they consume, the more they will absorb, and the more bone they will form. However, this is not the case. Generally, people over the age of 60 need to intake 800 milligrams of calcium per day. Excessive calcium supplementation does not automatically result in more bone formation, but can instead lead to complications and harm the health of the elderly.
Calcium is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, enters the bloodstream, and forms blood calcium. Through bone metabolism, blood calcium is then deposited as calcium salts to form bones. It is not true that the more calcium you consume, the more bone you will form. The level of blood calcium must be maintained within a certain range; too much or too little is not good. Excessive calcium supplementation can lead to hypercalcemia, which can cause complications such as kidney stones and vascular calcification.
Misconception 6: Additional calcium supplementation is not necessary
The most important aspect of preventing osteoporosis is to ensure adequate calcium intake to enhance bone density. In daily life, we often obtain calcium from food and beverages, but studies have shown that relying solely on food and beverage intake is not enough, especially for women who experience significant calcium loss. Therefore, in addition to a balanced diet and increased consumption of dairy products, calcium supplements or calcium products can also be used as effective means to address insufficient calcium intake.
