Care measures for secondary osteoporosis in patients with rheumatism

Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease characterized by low bone mass and damage to bone microstructure, resulting in increased bone fragility and easy fractures, mainly manifested as bone pain and fracture.

Common causes of secondary osteoporosis include taking drugs that affect bone metabolism and diseases that affect bone metabolism
.

Rheumatism due to long-term use of glucocorticoids, so may lead to hormone-related osteoporosis, severe vertebral body, hip, distal forearm, pelvis and other parts of the fracture, of which the most serious osteoporosis fracture is hip fracture, once it occurs will seriously affect the quality of life of
patients.

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Glucocorticoids, rheumatism

and osteoporosis

Glucocorticoids are an important regulatory role of hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex, which plays an important regulatory role in the development, growth, metabolism and immune function of the human body, and has the role of regulating sugar, fat and protein metabolism, and also has a regulatory effect
on bone metabolism.
Supraphysiological amounts of glucocorticoids or long-term drug use have significant adverse effects
on the development, growth and metabolism of bone tissue.

Rheumatic immune patients in our department will use hormone therapy in the process of disease control treatment, but while hormones treat diseases, there is also the possibility of osteoporosis, and the risk of fracture increases, so we need to actively prevent osteoporosis
.

How can people with rheumatism prevent osteoporosis?

First of all, assess the patient's bone density before using hormones, determine whether the patient has osteoporosis or osteopenia before using hormones, if there is osteoporosis should be treated according to the primary osteoporosis, if there is no osteoporosis, patients should be instructed in advance to take the following preventive measures:

1.
The daily diet can eat more foods rich in vitamin D such as cod liver oil, fish, nuts or appropriate vitamin D
supplementation.

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2.
Carry out outdoor exercise appropriately, exercise three or four times a week, 30-40 minutes
each time.
Such as jogging, dumbbell exercises, cycling, tai chi, yoga, dance, table tennis and other sports, each exercise can be alternated, according to their own physical condition can be adjusted appropriately, to their own body can tolerate the subject
.
Exercise can prevent osteopenia caused by inactivity, improve muscle and joint flexibility, and reduce falls and adverse consequences
.

3, increase light irradiation to supplement calcium, sunlight can promote the production of active vitamin D in the body, improve the absorption rate of calcium, so as to prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis, we recommend that after 4 pm to evening every day, sunbathing 20-30 minutes is appropriate, but should vary from person to person, to avoid excessive sun exposure caused by sunburn, according to the weather can be adjusted
.

4.
Quit smoking and alcohol, pay attention to diet regulation and hygiene, drink less coffee and carbonated drinks, and maintain good living habits
.

5.
Eat more calcium-rich foods (such as dairy products, lean meat, milk, shrimp skin, seafood, tahini, etc.
), eat more foods rich in vitamin C, fresh vegetables and fruits (such as tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, apples, pears, etc.
), and moderate intake of protein (such as eggs, lean meat, fish, shrimp, etc.
).

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6.
Maintain an optimistic and positive attitude
.
If you have osteoporosis, you should choose the mode of travel and exercise according to your physical condition, wear non-slip shoes when going out, and use crutches if necessary to prevent bone injury caused by
falls.

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