Could You Be at Risk for Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that prevents living tissue in the bone from being replaced fast enough as it is being broken down. Therefore the bones become weak and delicate. The word osteoporosis literally means porous bones. Patients that suffer from this disorder can experience bone fractures from anything from a fall to a violent cough. The majority of the time, the person is unaware that they have the disease until they experience the first bone fracture.

What causes this concerning condition?

As mentioned above, our bones are living tissue. New bone is constantly forming, while old bone is continuously dying off. As we age, we start to lose bone mass faster than our body can reproduce it. The more bone mass we have when we are younger, the less likely we are to develop osteoporosis.

Are you at risk?

Certain factors are simply out of our control. For example, women have a higher risk than men. The older you get, the higher your risk becomes. Our family history, such as our race and whether or not our parents suffered from osteoporosis, comes into play. For example, those of Caucasian or Asian descent are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Even your body frame can contribute to the problem. If you have a smaller body type, you have less bone mass to draw from as you age.

Hormones even affect whether or not you will develop osteoporosis. As we age, our sex hormone levels become reduced, and that tends to weaken the bone. That is why women who are at the menopause age or older are especially at risk. Treatments for prostate cancer tend to lower the testosterone levels in men, also causing accelerated bone loss. Other hormone factors stem from thyroid and adrenal gland problems.

What can you do to combat the problem if you are at risk?

Make sure you are getting plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and protein in your diet. They are building blocks to healthy bones. Exercise is also important. It will keep you at a healthy weight, so there will be less pressure on your bones. Meanwhile, you will be building stronger bones by focusing on strength training and improving balance. Doing so will make it less likely that you will experience a fall that would otherwise lead to a fracture. As with most diseases, nutrition and exercise contribute significantly to improving your bone health. 

For further suggestions on a healthy diet and safe exercises, consult a medical professional to see what options are best for you and your unique body.