Contents:
- Medical Video: Osteoporosis | Nucleus Health
- What is osteoporosis?
- What are the causes of osteoporosis at a young age?
- 1. Take certain drugs
- 2. Medical conditions
- 3. Hormone disorders
- 4. Lifestyle
- So, how to prevent osteoporosis since you were young?
- 1. Regular exercise
- 2. Adequate calcium needs
- 3. Pay attention to vitamin D intake
- 4. Take calcium supplements
- 5. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
Medical Video: Osteoporosis | Nucleus Health
Most people assume that osteoporosis only attacks the elderly. Even though this is not the case. Because, osteoporosis can affect anyone of all ages and genders, including young people. So, what causes osteoporosis at a young age? Know the answers in this article.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis or commonly known as bone loss, is a condition when bone density decreases due to the loss of continuous bone mass, thus making the bones become brittle and easily broken.
Many people think that osteoporosis occurs naturally and is unavoidable because it is part of aging. Even though this is not the case. Everyone - both young and old, can be at risk for osteoporosis.
Most people who have osteoporosis are not aware of the symptoms of this disease. Generally they will only be aware of the signs of pain in the lower back, neck pain, stooped posture, gradual decline in height, and more frequent injuries or fractures.
What are the causes of osteoporosis at a young age?
1. Take certain drugs
Long-term use of drinking drugs corticosteroids or injections, such as prednisone and cortisone, interfere with the process of bone formation. Usually, the drug is used to treat asthma and arthritis (arthritis).
In addition, other causes of osteoporosis are also often associated due to the effects of treating certain diseases such as cancer, seizures, and epilepsy.
2. Medical conditions
The risk of osteoporosis at a young age will be higher if you already have certain medical problems, including:
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Kidney illness or liver disease
- Cancer
- Lupus
- Arthritis
3. Hormone disorders
Apart from the various medical conditions mentioned above, other causes of osteoporosis are due to hormonal disorders, such as:
- Hyperthyroidism (a condition that results from overactive thyroid gland)
- Hyperparathyroidism (a condition that results from overactive parathyroid glands)
- Disorders of the adrenal gland, such as Cushing's syndrome
- Decreased number of sex hormones, namely the hormones estrogen and testosterone
- Disorders of the pituitary gland (pituitary)
4. Lifestyle
Children who spend a lot of time just to laze around and lack movement have a higher risk of osteoporosis than those who actively engage in physical activity. Why is that? This is because their body and bones cannot train themselves in weight-bearing activities that function to encourage bone density.
Not only that, children who lack calcium and vitamin D intake are also at high risk for osteoporosis early. Because the two minerals are important minerals in bone building. Thus, lack of calcium and vitamin intake can cause reduced bone density which in turn will increase the risk of osteoporosis at a young age.
So, how to prevent osteoporosis since you were young?
There are various ways you can prevent this disease early, including:
1. Regular exercise
Osteoporosis can be prevented early by doing physical activity regularly. Especially doing exercise that puts a strain on the bones such as lifting weights. Sports such as running, cycling, soccer, and just walking can also help strengthen bones so that the bones are not easily porous.
2. Adequate calcium needs
As mentioned above, one of the causes of osteoporosis at a young age is due to lack of calcium. That is why, it is important to meet your daily calcium needs. You can get calcium from milk, cheese, yogurt, oranges, eggs, broccoli, kale, spinach, and other green vegetables.
3. Pay attention to vitamin D intake
Besides calcium, you also have to pay attention to the needs of vitamin D. The main source of vitamin D is sun exposure. Bask in the morning or evening sun exposure for at least 5 to 10 minutes every day. You can also meet the needs of vitamin D from foods such as fish (sardines, tuna and salmon), eggs, milk, button mushrooms, beef liver, and so on.
4. Take calcium supplements
If you really need it, you can take calcium and vitamin D supplements. Usually this is done if you cannot meet the needs of calcium and vitamin D from the food you consume daily. But, before taking your supplement it is recommended to consult a doctor first in order to get instructions on consuming supplements that suit your needs.
5. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
Adolescents who are growing up are very vulnerable to smoking and alcohol due to association. In fact, these two things can endanger your health, including increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Because the nicotine in cigarette smoke and alcohol can reduce blood flow to the bones, inhibit bone-forming cell production, and inhibit calcium absorption.
