Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones, making them brittle and more prone to breaking. It can advance for years without showing any signs until a fracture happens since it is a quiet condition. Around 200 million individuals worldwide are thought to be affected by osteoporosis, making it a serious issue. Both men and women can get it, although women are more likely to get it, especially after menopause. Despite the fact that anybody may get osteoporosis, there are several osteoporosis risk factors that make it more likely. Age and gender are two of these risk variables that cannot be changed, but there are others that can be adjusted or managed. We’ll talk about osteoporosis risk factors and what to be concerned about if you’re experiencing it in this article.
Age And Gender
Age raises the likelihood of acquiring osteoporosis. Our bones weaken and lose density as we age, making them more brittle and prone to fractures. Especially following menopause, as the body produces less estrogen, women are more susceptible than males to develop osteoporosis. Oestrogen is crucial for maintaining bone density, and when it declines in women throughout menopause, osteoporosis risk increases.
Family History
The likelihood of getting osteoporosis may rise if your family has the disease. You are more likely to get osteoporosis if your mother, sister, or grandmother did. If they suffered a fracture, particularly a hip fracture, the risk is higher.
Lifestyle Factors
The likelihood of having osteoporosis can be increased by specific lifestyle variables. These consist of:
Sedentary Lifestyle: Inadequate movement may degrade bones, increasing their susceptibility to fracture.
Smoking: Tobacco can cause a reduction in bone density and an increase in the likelihood of fractures.
Alcohol Consumption: By preventing the body from properly absorbing calcium, excessive alcohol use can weaken bones.
Low Calcium Intake: Building and keeping healthy bones require calcium. Osteoporosis risk can be raised by a diet poor in calcium.
Medical Conditions
Osteoporosis risk is influenced by a number of medical disorders, including:
Hormonal Disorders: Having hormonal abnormalities like hyperthyroidism might make you more likely to develop osteoporosis.
Digestive Disorders: Osteoporosis risk can be raised by diseases including celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease that interfere with nutrition absorption.
Chronic Kidney Disease: The body’s calcium and vitamin D levels are tightly controlled by the kidneys. Bone density might drop as a result of chronic renal illness.
Cancer: Chemotherapy and hormone therapy are two cancer treatments that might damage bones.
Medications
The following medicines, among others, can raise the risk of osteoporosis:
Corticosteroids: Prednisone and other corticosteroids should not be used long-term as they can reduce bone density and raise fracture risk.
Anticonvulsants: Some anticonvulsants can prevent the body from absorbing calcium, which results in brittle bones.
Proton Pump Inhibitors: These drugs, which are used to treat stomach ulcers and acid reflux, may prevent the body from absorbing calcium.
