Osteoporosis: Are You At Risk For Thinning Bones?

December 7, 2011 Jean Morgan Osteoporosis, 23

Osteoporosis: Are You At Risk For Thinning Bones?

Article by Theron Santiago

Taking certain medications that are associated with an increased risk of developing osteoporosis (including prednisone, anti-seizure drugs, and aromatase inhibitors)Causes and Risk FactorsScientists are not sure of the exact cause of osteoporosis, but they are certain that the normal bone remodeling process becomes disrupted when the disease occurs.The likelihood of someone developing osteoporosis depends upon how much bone mass that person obtained through their 20s, as well as how rapidly they start to lose it later on in life. Accumulated bone mass peaks at about age 30, so the more bone mass a person has by the age of 30, the less likely they are to develop osteoporosis later on.The strength of a person’s bones depends on the size and density of the bones. Bone density is based on the amounts of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals that bones are made up of, and when the bones become deprived of any of those minerals, they start to lose their internal strength.The following risk factors can contribute to increasing a person’s likelihood of developing osteoporosis. These are risk factors that cannot be changed or controlled:Family historyRace (Caucasians and Asians are at an increased risk)Being femaleBody frame size (people who are extremely thin or who have small frames are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis)Medical conditions that affect bone strength<u>These risk factors can be controlled or changed:</u>Tobacco useLow calcium intakeSedentary lifestyleEating disordersConsuming excessive amounts of alcoholWhat is Osteoporosis?Osteoporosis is a loss of bone mineral density often associated with old age, leading to bone fragility and fracture. Because the bones are weakened, such fractures can result from relatively minor traumas such as carrying grocery bags or even a sneeze! Fractures to the hip can be due to a fall and can significantly compromise quality of life and ability to walk. Statistics show that 1 in 4 American women and 1 in 8 American men over 50 have osteoporosis. This is a very disheartening statistic considering that osteoporosis is a largely preventable condition. Osteoporosis is also usually clinically silent until a fracture occurs, so it can go unnoticed for years. This is why bone density scans (DEXA scans) are often recommended to postmenopausal women.Risk Factors: There are both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis. Well known non-modifiable risk factors include age, female gender, family history of osteoporosis, being fair-skinned and having European descent. Women who have had hysterectomies are also at a higher risk because hormones such as estrogen have a protective effect on bone density. Certain metabolic diseases and medications can also affect the body’s chemistry and bone mass. What we are most interested in, however, are modifiable risk factors. Modifiable risk factors are lifestyle choices. Some such risk factors include: smoking, having a sedentary lifestyle, low body mass and certain dietary factors.Prevention:Prevention of osteoporosis starts now! Peak bone density occurs between the ages of 25 and 35, gradually reduces with age and then at menopause the downward slope becomes steeper. Here are some great tips…<u>1) Exercise: </u>Exercise is the most important preventative strategy for osteoporosis. Weight-bearing aerobic activities help to maintain and even increase bone mass. Weight-bearing exercises are any exercise done on ones feet such as jogging, hiking, stair-climbing, step aerobics, dancing and weight lifting.

Check out these sites for more menopause information

Thinning
Thinning
The Menopausal Patient And Hormone Replacement Therapy
Climacteric (human) - Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
Menopause and Depression - U-M Depression Center

Recommended Reading

• what is the menopause
• Are Bone Density Tests A Waste Of Time?
• Maintain Good Bone Density
• Men’s Health – Osteoporosis
• Bone Density Tests Risk Detectors For Osteoporosis

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