Osteoporosis is a bone condition that makes your bone very weak and brittle. Osteoporosis causes the bones to become so weak that a slight bending could increase the risk of fracture. In this article, we will take a look at some of the factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis
Risks That Are Unchangeable
Gender is one of the main unchangeable risk factors for osteoporosis. When compared to men, women are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Another unchangeable factor is age. When you get older, you are at a higher risk of developing this bone condition. It is also observed that the chances of developing osteoporosis are higher in people of Asian and white descent.
The family history of osteoporosis is another risk factor for osteoporosis. If your parents have or had osteoporosis, you are also at a higher risk of developing this bone condition. Therefore, if your mother or father has this condition, start to follow a proper healthy lifestyle to improve your bone health and bone density.
Hormones
It is observed that the risk of osteoporosis is higher if the levels of certain hormones in your body are higher or lower than normal levels. If levels of sex hormones in your body are lower than the normal levels, it will cause weaker bones. It was found that the estrogen levels in menopausal women are very low and this increases the risk of developing osteoporosis in them.
In men also the testosterone levels gradually decrease by age and it also decreases due to the side effects of prostate cancer. This also increases the risk of developing osteoporosis in men. Breast cancer treatment will also decrease the estrogen levels in women.
A study has found that increased levels of thyroid hormone will lead to the loss of bone mass. This occurs because of two factors. One, due to an overactive thyroid gland. Two, because of consuming too much thyroid hormone medication to treat an underactive thyroid gland. Studies also showed that an overactive adrenal gland and parathyroid gland also increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Diet
Low calcium intake is one of the main dietary factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis. When you do not take enough calcium through your diet, it reduces bone density and increases the risk of fractures.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, etc. increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Some of your lifestyle choices have also a significant influence on the development of osteoporosis. Tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, etc. are some of the prime examples.
