Every year on a specific date, World Osteoporosis Day is observed. Due to the lack of obvious early symptoms, osteoporosis often exhibits high prevalence but low awareness. What abnormalities in the body indicate that the bones are "sounding the alarm"? Which groups of people are more susceptible to osteoporosis? How can we better prevent it?

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by decreased bone strength and increased fracture risk, which poses a serious threat to people's health due to the multiple complications it causes, such as osteoporotic fractures.

Osteoporosis often goes unnoticed until people experience fractures and seek medical attention, only to discover they have the condition. However, this disease is not entirely without signs. Han Tao, Deputy Director and Chief Physician of the Soft Tissue Injury Department at Shenyang Orthopedic Hospital, advises that when the following abnormalities occur, one should consider them as signals of osteoporosis.

"We can try pressing on the lower back and see if there is any soreness or pain," Han Tao said. He advised being cautious about osteoporosis if there is pain localized to the lower back after lifting heavy objects or coughing, or if chronic lower back pain is present.

Experts suggest that you can also check if your height has significantly decreased. "If your height has dropped by more than a centimeter compared to when you were younger, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a screening for osteoporosis." Han Tao also mentioned that if you suffer from fractures in the back, waist, or wrists after a minor fall, you should consider whether it might be osteoporosis.

Who are the high-risk groups for osteoporosis? Lan Chong, Deputy Director of the Gynecology Clinic at Shenyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, warns that osteoporosis is more likely to affect menopausal women. "Menopausal women experience a decline in ovarian function and a lack of estrogen, which leads to bone loss and significantly increases the likelihood of developing osteoporosis."

Additionally, elderly individuals over the age of 60, as well as young people who have unhealthy lifestyles such as lack of exercise, frequent late nights, excessive consumption of carbonated drinks, and regular smoking and drinking, are also prone to developing osteoporosis.

Experts suggest that for individuals with osteoporosis, in addition to appropriate exercise and medication, a well-balanced diet is also crucial.

Osteoporosis patients should eat more foods high in calcium, rich in vitamins and protein, pay attention to low salt and low sugar, maintain good living habits, receive adequate sunlight exposure daily, and avoid excessive intake of beverages such as coffee and carbonated drinks that are detrimental to bone health. Han Tao suggests that elderly people, menopausal women, and other special groups should undergo regular bone density tests.