Controlling Osteoporosis Risk

Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease of the skeletal system. Bone mass and density is decreased putting those who suffer from the condition at an increased risk and causes higher instances of fractures. There are several factors that help determine who will get Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is largely preventable for most people. Prevention of this disease is very important because, while there are treatments for osteoporosis, there is currently no cure. Knowing the risk factors is the best hope for preventing and maintaining Osteoporosis. The risks are additive, meaning that the more risk factors you possess, the greater your chances for developing the disease. While there are many factors that are irrevocable, there are several that can be changed.

Risk factors for osteoporosis that cannot be controlled include advanced age, female gender, Asian or Caucasian ethnicity, family history, early menopause, and small body frame. Those which one can have little control over are medically related and include prolonged use of corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, high doses of thyroid supplements and conditions such as depression, hyper or hypothyroidism, diabetes, chronic liver or kidney disease. Some medical conditions may be related because they share the same risk factors. Unfortunately it may not be possible to avoid these risk factors but they may be minimized. Risk factors that can be controlled are inadequate amounts of calcium, not enough estrogen, lack of exercise, smoking, and use of alcohol.

Minimizing risk can be as simple as getting outside everyday and getting exposure to sunshine, taking dietary supplements, quitting smoking or limiting alcohol consumption. Making healthy lifestyle choices when it comes to diet and exercise can make all the difference when it comes to overall bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis. As bone is lost, the skeleton becomes more and more osteoporotic and prone to bone fracture. While everyone loses some bone, there are those that are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis until they are very, very old, if at all, while still others may develop osteoporosis at a younger age. Those that do not develop osteoporosis have strong bones to begin with or their rate of bone loss is slower so the bones remain strong well into old age. For the majority though the process of bone thinning is much faster. Being aware of the risk factors and making changes to them or avoiding them altogether may make all the difference in the affect that osteoporosis may have on one's life.

For women estrogen replacement may be advisable during the time of menopause to help the absorption of calcium and to slow the rate of bone loss resulting from the hormone changes. Calcium is essential for healthy bones and adequate amounts can ideally be obtained from a healthy diet, limiting sweets, caffeine, drinking soda and overly processed foods that contain little vitamins and minerals and unhealthy additives. Regular weight bearing exercise, at least half an hour three times a week will help to develop and maintain bone strength and may help reverse the effects of bone loss.

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