Risk Factors Associated With Osteoporosis

The development of osteoporosis is not necessarily a natural by-product of aging. There are things that you can do now to help keep the disease at bay. Unfortunately, most women are unaware of what those things are.

Although some loss in bone density is a natural part of the aging process, some women have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. These include:

• Small boned and/or thin women
• Fair-skinned white women
• Asian women
• Women who drink alcohol more than moderately
• Women who don’t exercise consistently
• Women who smoke
• Women who have a family history of osteoporosis
• Women who go through early menopause either naturally or due to surgery
• Women who stop menstruating before menopause due to eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia
• Women who suffer from kidney disease, Cushing Syndrome, hyperthyroidism or prolonged immobilization due to illness or injury

Osteoporosis can start in the late thirties or forties, to women who aren’t yet menopausal. It is important for women to get enough calcium— experts recommend 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams a day for women in their 20s and 1,500 milligrams a day for menopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy.

Experts have found that conventional, alternative and certain lifestyle changes can slow down and even prevent osteoporosis from occurring. If you are at risk for developing osteoporosis, it is important to incorporate a few prevention strategies like better exercise and nutrition into your daily routine. Speak with your health-care provider to determine which are right for you.