Preventing Osteoporosis with Lifestyle
Osteoporosis is a gradually progressive disease that occurs as we age. It is a major health threat to millions, an estimated 55% of people age 50 and older. Osteoporosis can affect men as well as women, but it is more prevalent in women.
Osteoporosis, by definition, is a disease that causes the bones to lose minerals, like calcium, and as a result, the bones become fragile and break easily. The onset of osteoporosis occurs without symptoms. Therefore, people often find out they have the disease after they have had a fracture from just a bump or a strain.
Our bones build themselves up until we reach about age 30. After age 30, we begin to lose bone mass gradually. So, we need to take measures throughout our life to build our bone mass. For women, loss of bone mass usually accelerates after menopause.
If you don’t have a healthy diet and enough physical activity, bones can start to weaken, even early in life. Certain factors will increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. This disease is more common in people who are either Caucasian or Asian and have a small, thin frame.
If you or a family member has broken a bone as an adult, you will be more prone to osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women are at a higher risk for osteoporosis. Women who have had an early, surgically induced, menopause fit in the high risk category also.
People who have taken certain medications, such as Cortisone or high doses of thyroid medications for more than 3 months have a higher risk for this disease. Also in this category for high risk are individuals who have taken chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drugs to treat cancer.
Other risk factors for osteoporosis involve life habits such as diets low in dairy products and other sources of calcium, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking cigarettes and excessive alcohol drinking. On a positive note, there are steps you can take to decrease your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Eat a diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D. Make sure you’re physically active and include weight bearing exercises in your exercise routine. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol drinking. Get a bone density test and, if needed, take medication to increase bone density and ward off any further loss.