Fearful of the Sun, Woman Cracks Rib Bedridden by Severe Vitamin D Deficiency

A 48-year-old woman hailing from China’s southwestern province of Sichuan suffered a rib fracture just by rolling over in bed, as a result of extreme vitamin D deficiency triggered by an overly cautious approach towards sunlight exposure.

A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, suffered a broken rib when she rolled over in bed. Her husband, Long Shuang—an attendant physician at XinDu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine—reported this incident on May 14. According to him, she was then admitted to the same hospital.
Sina.

Since early years, the patient has steered clear of direct sunlight, seldom stepping out with their arms exposed, and consistently applied sunblock when outside. Medical tests indicated an unusually low Vitamin D concentration of just 7.8 ng/ml (with normal ranges being between 20–25 ng/ml or 50–125 nmol/L). Furthermore, his/her bone mineral density was alarmingly reduced, signaling the presence of osteoporosis.

Dr. Long pointed out that sunlight is vital for producing vitamin D, an important factor for maintaining strong bones and absorbing calcium. Individuals who routinely shun the sun face a higher likelihood of suffering from osteoporosis and diminished immune function.

Jiang Xiaobing, who leads the spinal orthopedics department at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, cautioned against excessive sun avoidance in a social media post.

“Every ten years, all the bones in our body get replaced, yet starting at age 30, we start losing bone mass at an annual rate of between 0.5% and 1%. Insufficient calcium consumption, inadequate sunlight exposure, and a shortage of vitamin D can impede calcium uptake. Additionally, leading a inactive life, smoking cigarettes, and consuming alcohol excessively can deteriorate bone health,” he explained.
South China Morning Post
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Jiang suggested maintaining proper levels of calcium intake, engaging in consistent physical activity, and reducing tobacco use and alcohol consumption. He particularly cautioned against consuming more than two cans of beer containing 5% alcohol daily, emphasizing that postmenopausal women should be especially careful regarding their alcohol intake.