Clipping Board » Disease & Prevention ─ Understanding diseases, prevention is better than cure.
China Times, Feng Huiyi/Taichung Report, 2008.12.30
How could this happen? Just putting up a spring couplet and you end up with a fracture? There are also people who just lift something heavy and "crack!"—they suffer a lumbar fracture. Dr. Wei Zhengzong from the Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology Department at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital warns that during the annual year-end cleaning, many patients with pre-existing osteoporosis may suffer fractures from just a slight improper posture. At this time, such cases increase by 20%.
Dr. Wei Zhengzong said that with the recent economic downturn, many office workers are taking on both internal and external tasks to keep their jobs. After sitting for long periods, even a small change in posture can cause spinal compression. A sixty-year-old patient, for example, just climbed a ladder to put up a spring couplet and suddenly experienced severe back pain. Upon examination, it was found that he already had severe osteoporosis, and the act of standing on tiptoe and raising his arms suddenly caused lumbar compression—"crack!"—and he ended up bedridden for several months.
According to surveys, half of Taiwanese women over fifty will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis in their lifetime, and the risk for men is as high as one in five. Dr. Wei Zhengzong said that osteoporosis often has no symptoms. Activities like bending to lift heavy objects during cleaning, mopping, or even standing on tiptoe to put up spring couplets can easily lead to prolonged bending of the waist. Combined with unnoticed osteoporosis, a simple act of straightening up can result in a "crack!" and a fracture.
Additionally, there are cases where people slip while washing floors or standing high to clean windows, resulting in arm or hip fractures.
Dr. Wei Zhengzong reminds the public to always follow the "Three Essential Guidelines for Bone Density Maintenance": regular bone density tests, periodic supplementation of vitamin D and high-calcium foods, and not stopping medication once osteoporosis is confirmed.
He also urges people to, in addition to maintaining a normal diet, drink an extra glass of high-calcium milk daily, consume high-calcium foods like dried small fish, or directly supplement with oral calcium tablets or medications to prevent early onset of osteoporosis and fractures.
During cleaning, besides avoiding falls, it's important to keep the spine straight and avoid bending. When lifting heavy objects, squat down first and then lift, rather than bending over while standing, to ensure a healthy New Year.
Source: http://health. chinatimes. com/ contents. aspx? cid=5,66& id=4138
Improper Posture during Year-End Cleaning Increases Fractures by 20% in Osteoporosis Patients
How could this happen? Just putting up a spring couplet and you end up with a fracture? There are also people who just lift something heavy and "crack!"—they suffer a lumbar fracture. Dr. Wei Zhengzong from the Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology Department at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital warns that during the annual year-end cleaning, many patients with pre-existing osteoporosis may suffer fractures from just a slight improper posture. At this time, such cases increase by 20%.
Dr. Wei Zhengzong said that with the recent economic downturn, many office workers are taking on both internal and external tasks to keep their jobs. After sitting for long periods, even a small change in posture can cause spinal compression. A sixty-year-old patient, for example, just climbed a ladder to put up a spring couplet and suddenly experienced severe back pain. Upon examination, it was found that he already had severe osteoporosis, and the act of standing on tiptoe and raising his arms suddenly caused lumbar compression—"crack!"—and he ended up bedridden for several months.
According to surveys, half of Taiwanese women over fifty will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis in their lifetime, and the risk for men is as high as one in five. Dr. Wei Zhengzong said that osteoporosis often has no symptoms. Activities like bending to lift heavy objects during cleaning, mopping, or even standing on tiptoe to put up spring couplets can easily lead to prolonged bending of the waist. Combined with unnoticed osteoporosis, a simple act of straightening up can result in a "crack!" and a fracture.
Additionally, there are cases where people slip while washing floors or standing high to clean windows, resulting in arm or hip fractures.
Dr. Wei Zhengzong reminds the public to always follow the "Three Essential Guidelines for Bone Density Maintenance": regular bone density tests, periodic supplementation of vitamin D and high-calcium foods, and not stopping medication once osteoporosis is confirmed.
He also urges people to, in addition to maintaining a normal diet, drink an extra glass of high-calcium milk daily, consume high-calcium foods like dried small fish, or directly supplement with oral calcium tablets or medications to prevent early onset of osteoporosis and fractures.
During cleaning, besides avoiding falls, it's important to keep the spine straight and avoid bending. When lifting heavy objects, squat down first and then lift, rather than bending over while standing, to ensure a healthy New Year.
Source: http://health. chinatimes. com/ contents. aspx? cid=5,66& id=4138