Bones are also afraid of sweetness!

This is the 3911th article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

If you have a history of diabetes for more than 10 years, you should be alert to osteoporosis!

According to research, osteoporosis is more common in elderly patients with a long history of diabetes, and there may be no obvious symptoms in the early stages. However, as the disease progresses, patients may gradually experience bone pain, with lower back pain being the most common. At this point, the risk of fractures in diabetic patients gradually increases as the course of diabetes prolongs. So, what is the connection between diabetes and osteoporosis?

01

High sugar environment

Due to high blood sugar in the body, diabetic patients have osmotic diuresis, which causes large amounts of urination, and electrolytes such as calcium and phosphorus are "taken out" of the body, which can induce enhanced bone dissolution in the body, leading to bone decalcification and osteoporosis.

02

Insulin deficiency

Insulin regulates osteoblast function by binding to insulin receptors on the surface of osteoblasts. Due to absolute or relative insulin deficiency, diabetic patients weaken osteoblast function, which eventually leads to decreased bone density and osteoporosis.

03

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency

Vitamin D can promote the body's absorption of calcium and deposit calcium into bones. However, diabetic patients often have vitamin D deficiency, which affects the absorption of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus in the intestine, leading to osteoporosis.

04

Neurological and vascular diseases

Such lesions can affect the blood supply and nerve nutrition of local tissues, accelerate bone turnover, and accelerate bone loss.

So, how can "diabetics" stay away from osteoporosis? We need to do the following:

1. Actively cooperating with diabetes treatment is the top priority

Specific methods include diabetes health education, medical nutrition therapy, exercise therapy, blood sugar monitoring and drug therapy. The ultimate goal is to control blood sugar levels within a good range and reduce the risk of diabetic osteoporosis.

2. Improving lifestyle is a long-term goal

Pay attention to the rationalization of diet in daily life, eat small meals frequently, and ensure balanced nutrition;

Eat more calcium-rich foods, such as milk, soy products, seafood such as fish, shrimp and shellfish, and dark green vegetables such as spinach/broccoli/amaranth;

Do moderate exercise in your spare time. It is recommended to choose moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking and cycling, for 30 minutes. This can not only help improve blood sugar, but also increase bone density.

At the same time, we should avoid smoking and excessive drinking; middle-aged and elderly people should install handrails and anti-slip mats in their homes to prevent fractures caused by accidental falls.

3. Supplementing calcium and vitamin D is an essential measure

Calcium: The recommended daily calcium intake for adults is 800 mg, and for people aged 50 and above, the daily calcium intake is 1000-1200 mg;

Vitamin D: The recommended intake for ordinary adults is 400 IU/d, the recommended intake for people over 65 years old is 600 IU/d, and the recommended dose for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis is 800-1200 IU/d.

4. Use anti-osteoporosis drugs when necessary

Including bone resorption inhibitors such as bisphosphonates, calcitonin, estrogen, and bone formation promoters such as parathyroid hormone, which can more effectively improve the osteoporosis condition of diabetic patients.

Finally, we want to tell you that life can be sweet, but our bones cannot withstand such "sugar-coated bullets". Moreover, diabetes is a systemic disease, and the osteoporosis it causes is complicated in prevention and treatment. We solemnly remind you: If you have been suffering from diabetes for more than 10 years, you should be alert to diabetic osteoporosis! In particular, if you often feel pain all over your body, please be vigilant and seek help from your family doctor in time.

Author: Xinjing Town Community Health Service Center, Changning District, Shanghai

Zhou XiangjunDeputy Chief Physician