Doctor: Due to excessive sun protection, a 32 year old woman coughed and broke her rib
Ms. Lv, 32 years old, was informed after a physical examination that her right rib had been fractured. It was only then that she realized that her rib had been severely painful after a severe cough, and she had coughed and broken it.
On September 18th, Pengpai News learned from the First People's Hospital of Hangzhou that Ms. Lv pays great attention to sun protection in her daily life. Her blood test shows that the content of 25 hydroxyvitamin D is very low, and she lacks vitamin D in her body, suffering from osteoporosis.
According to the hospital's statistics, 8330 individuals who underwent physical examinations this year tested for 25 hydroxyvitamin D, with an abnormal rate of 52.8%. Among them, the abnormal rate for women aged 21-30 was as high as 79.5%. According to the doctor's analysis, it is likely related to excessive sun protection in young women, which affects vitamin D synthesis.
Ms. Lv recently went to a hospital in Hangzhou for a routine physical examination, and CT scan showed a right rib fracture. She remembered a few days ago when she had a fever and cough. One night, she coughed heavily and woke up with severe pain in her ribs. At that time, she thought about enduring it and didn't go to the hospital. After seeking medical attention in the orthopedics department, Ms. Lv was diagnosed with a rib fracture and osteoporosis.
It is reported that human bone strength reaches its peak after the age of 20, while women generally experience a gradual decrease in bone mass after the age of 35. Ms. Lv's age is still at the peak of bone strength, why does she have osteoporosis? After testing, her 5-hydroxyvitamin D index is very low.
"Many people know that osteoporosis is caused by calcium deficiency, but without vitamin D, calcium can only pass through the intestine and cannot be absorbed by the small intestine. The 25 hydroxyvitamin D content in the blood is a recognized reliable indicator for evaluating vitamin D status," said Yang Xiuqin, deputy head nurse of the physical examination center of a municipal hospital.
After further inquiry, the doctor found the reason for Ms. Lv's low 25 hydroxyvitamin D. She pays more attention to appearance maintenance, and whenever she goes out, she wears sunscreen, hats, and clothes. However, 80-90% of the vitamin D needed by the human body is synthesized by ultraviolet radiation on the skin, and long-term exposure to light can easily lead to vitamin D deficiency.
Yang Xiuqin said that according to statistics from the medical examination center of the hospital, 8330 examinees tested for 25 hydroxyvitamin D this year, with an overall abnormal rate of 52.8%. By age and gender, the abnormal proportion of women aged 21-30 is 79.5%, and the abnormal proportion of men in the same age group is 73.5%; The abnormal proportion of males and females aged 50 and above has decreased. In addition to excessive sun protection, many young osteoporosis patients also have commonalities such as lack of exercise and a preference for stimulating beverages.
Doctors suggest that to prevent osteoporosis caused by vitamin D deficiency, outdoor activities and sunlight exposure should be increased. During exposure, most of the limbs should be exposed, and foods containing natural vitamin D such as high-fat sea fish and animal liver should be supplemented. If necessary, vitamin D preparations can be supplemented according to medical advice.
