A 27-year-old man suffering from severe osteoporosis, typical of a 70-year-old, is attributed to four detrimental habits. Many young people frequently engage in two of these.

A man experienced back pain for over a year, only to discover he had severe osteoporosis upon examination. His condition was even worse than that of a 70-year-old.

According to Chinese media reports, a 27-year-old man from Chongqing, China, who was visibly thin, suffered from frequent and severe lower back pain for over a year. The most common symptom he experienced was distinct pain in his spine, both sides of the spinous processes, and the half-vertebrae of his lumbar spine. He subsequently sought treatment at Yubei District People's Hospital in Chongqing.

Dr. Tu Lingling, who examined him, found his situation unusual and arranged for a bone density scan. It revealed that his bone density had reached the level of severe osteoporosis, even worse than that of a 70-year-old. Even the doctors were surprised, as severe osteoporosis is rarely seen in a 27-year-old man.

Upon further investigation, the doctor discovered that the severe osteoporosis in this young man was due to four of his daily habits: (1) frequent smoking, sometimes 1-2 packs a day; (2) excessive consumption of carbonated drinks; (3) frequent late nights; and (4) lack of exercise.

Dr. Tu stated that many people believe osteoporosis is a disease exclusively for middle-aged and elderly individuals, but in reality, young people with poor lifestyle habits, like this patient, can also develop osteoporosis.

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Understanding Osteoporosis

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), osteoporosis is a condition where bone density decreases and bone structure weakens, increasing the risk of fractures even from minor trauma. In Vietnam, an estimated 2.5 million people suffer from osteoporosis, primarily postmenopausal women and the elderly, according to 2022 data from the Ho Chi Minh City Osteoporosis Association.

Recognizing the Silent Signs of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can silently develop for years before causing consequences. Early recognition of signs, regular screenings, and proper nutritional supplementation can help mitigate the risk. Don't wait until a fracture occurs to realize it's too late for prevention. If you frequently experience the following signs, it's highly likely you have osteoporosis.

• Chronic Back Pain, Especially in the Lumbar Spine This is an early but often overlooked sign. Back pain can be caused by vertebral compression fractures, a manifestation of severe osteoporosis. According to the Cleveland Clinic, vertebral compression fractures are the most common cause of back pain in elderly individuals with osteoporosis.

• Height Loss A height reduction of more than 2cm in one year or more than 4cm compared to your height in youth can be a sign of osteoporosis. Mayo Clinic notes that this phenomenon is often due to the compression of spinal bones over time.

• Stooped Posture, Hunchback When the spinal vertebrae weaken and collapse, maintaining an upright posture becomes difficult. Patients tend to develop a hunched back, also known as a dowager's hump (kyphosis in medical terms, which is a rounded curve at the base of your neck where it meets the top of your back. You can also think of it as an excessive curvature of the upper spine). This is a late but typical sign of severe osteoporosis.

• Easy Fractures A slight fall, or even just an awkward twist, can cause a fracture, especially in the wrist, hip, or spine. This is a clear indication that bone density has significantly decreased. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (US), approximately half of all women and a quarter of all men over 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.

• Brittle, Weak Nails While not a specific sign, brittle, soft nails can be related to the body's mineral loss, including calcium and vitamin D – two key components of bone structure.

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When to Get Screened for Osteoporosis

According to the recommendations of the Endocrine Society, individuals in the following groups should undergo annual osteoporosis screenings:

• Women aged 65 or older, or under 65 with risk factors.
• Men aged 70 or older, or with risk factors.
• Individuals with a history of fractures or who are taking bone-loss-inducing medications.

The standard method for measuring bone density is a DEXA scan (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry).