There’s more to sneezing or coughing than just spreading germs.
With the incidence of Vitamin D deficiency in the UAE so high, many residents are at risk of having bone fractures even from the simple act of sneezing or coughing, a doctor has warned.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) found that vitamin D deficiency in the UAE is one of the highest in the world, at 50 to 90 per cent. According to some studies, nearly 8 in 10 (78 per cent) of residents in the country have vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sun exposure.
Medical experts warn that people who lack Vitamin D are at risk of bone degeneration or developing osteoporosis. Burjeel Hospital for Advance Surgery says that an individual with osteoporosis alone can crack a bone from a strong sneeze or cough, or a simple fall.
“Patients who have vitamin D deficiency are at risk of suffering from bone fractures if they have severe sneezing or coughing,” a source from the hospital told Gulf News.
Dr Harold Vanderschmidt at Burjeel Hospital for Advance Surgery in Dubai says that a fracture occurs “when the bone is so fragile that it breaks easily.” Vanderschmidt recommends that UAE residents take a “bone density test” to rule out any health risks.
According to WebMD, when bones become so thin and brittle due to osteoporosis, even the slightest activity can cause bones to crack. “In more severe cases, even coughing or sneezing can cause compression fractures that result in severe pain, deformity and immobility.”
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to insufficient sun exposure, smoking and obesity, among others. It is known to cause bone pain and fractures, muscle cramps and weakness, chronic fatigue, colds and flu and osteoporosis, among other complications.
A bone density test in Dubai can cost Dh600. It will find out how much mineral matter is present in every square centimeter of the bone and indicate whether the individual has osteoporosis or will likely suffer from bone fractures.
“A doctor will order a bone density test for several reasons such as if a person has lost a few centimeters from their height due to compression fractures in their spine which is caused by osteoporosis,” says Vanderschmidt.
“Certain drugs, like steroid medications, interfere in the bone’s ability to rebuild leading to osteoporosis so when a doctor prescribes such a medication, he or she orders regular bone density tests.”
Heavy smokers or those who drink alcohol regularly, people who have received a transplant and those who have experienced a drop in hormone levels are also advised to take a bone density test.
