November 14, 2008
Risk Factors For Osteoporosis
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There are many risk factors for osteoporosis. Some of the risk factors can be minimized and some cannot. One factor is sex. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer... |
There are many risk factors for osteoporosis. Some of the risk factors can be minimized and some cannot.
One factor is sex. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from fractures (a symptom of the disorder). One reason that women are at higher risk is that they tend to live longer than men. Women also start out with lower bone density then men do. When women reach menopause, they have a drop in estrogen production that accelerates bone mass loss. Once men reach 75, they are then just as likely as women to get osteoporosis.
Another risk factor for osteoporosis is age. As we age our risk increases, because our bones become weaker with age.
Race is another risk factor. Those at highest risk are Caucasian women, then women of Southeast Asian heritage. Those men and women of Black or Hispanic heritage are also at risk.
Your lifestyle also plays a hand in your risk factor. Those who drink alcoholic beverage to excess and those who smoke cigarettes are at a significant higher risk than those who do not smoke or drink alcohol.
Those who have a family history, especially a female who has had fractures due to osteoporosis will increase other family members risk.
Those of us who are thin or small framed are at higher risk for osteoporosis.
Women who have had a higher exposure to estrogen are at lower risk for osteoporosis. Women fit this category if they started their menstrual periods earlier than normal, or start their menopause part of life later than normal. Consequently the opposite is true that if you have had a lower than normal exposure to estrogen than your risk is greater for osteoporosis. This would be true if you have had your ovaries surgically removed.
Those who suffer from eating disorders are at higher risk for osteoporosis. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia are examples of eating disorders.
Hormone and mediations can be a risk factor for this disorder. Steroid medications such as are used for chronic inflammatory diseases like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and even psoriasis. Your healthcare provider can prescribe medications that can help prevent bond loss if you have to be on these steroids. Certain hormone therapies like those used to treat under active thyroid can cause bone loss. Diuretics are used when there is a buildup of fluids in the body. When taken over time they can cause bone loss.
Other miscellaneous risk factors are having a low intake of daily calcium, having a sedentary lifestyle, drinking an excessive amount of cola or coffee can interfere with the absorption of calcium and thus contribute to your risk factor. Certain other medical conditions can become a risk factor for osteoporosis. Conditions such as having a gastrectomy, hyperparathyroidism, anorexia nervosa and Cusings disease can also contribute to the risk factor of osteoporosis.