- By shoulderadm
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What are the Risk Factors of Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, even though seen most commonly among the elderly, is not a disease of only older adults. Loss of bone can occur at a young age, especially in the Indian population. Lack of physical activity, poor diet, lifestyle choices such as smoking, etc. are some of the contributing factors.
In simple terms, osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones become weak, and you are at risk of getting fractures. With several million people suffering from this condition across the world, this bone disease is preventable when risk factors are known to people.
Osteoporosis risk factors
It is not possible to determine whether you will develop osteoporosis or not, but some factors certainly enhance the risk of getting it. Identifying these risk factors and modifying your lifestyle can assists you in maintaining healthy bones and, thus, prohibit the development of osteoporosis. Here are some of the major risk factors of the disease:
Diet
When a diet lacks nutrients that are essential for keeping your bones strong and healthy, it puts you at risk of getting osteoporosis. When you do not consume enough vitamin D and calcium, it results in weakened bones. This is so because vitamin D helps in calcium absorption and calcium assists in building up bones.
Bad Lifestyle
Maintaining a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of getting several health issues, such as osteoporosis. Remaining active physically is important for strong and healthy bones. So, make sure you are exercising on a daily basis as it not only maintains your bone mass but also weight, which in turn assists in avoiding bone pressure.
Medications
Certain medications increase the risk of getting osteoporosis, such as medicines for suppressing gastric acid. Using these medicines for a long time weakens your bones. In addition, anti-depressants and anti-seizure drugs are also a risk factor for osteoporosis. So, when you are on such medication, it’s important to talk to your doctor about its side effects on your bones and overall wellness.
Hormonal Issues
Medical issues such as hormonal problems and autoimmune disorders enhance the risk of getting osteoporosis. This is so because hormone imbalance affects metabolism of the bone, and this, in turn, weakens it and makes it prone to fractures and injuries. Conditions such as hyperthyroidism can also make your bones weak.
Age and Gender
The risk of developing osteoporosis increases as you age. This is so because of the reduction of bone mineral density, which starts around the age of 30–40 in both genders. So, by the time you reach the age of 60, there will be significant loss of bone mineral density, which would lead to weakening of bone, making it fragile and enhancing osteoporosis risk. Likewise, coming to gender perspective, women are at high risk of developing osteoporosis because of less bone tissue as compared to men. In addition, several hormonal changes occur when a woman attains menopause, such as decline in estrogen levels, which affects bones.
Being thin and having a small body frame
While it is generally known that obesity puts pressure on your bones and makes them highly prone to fractures and joint pain, people with thin body frames are also at risk of getting osteoporosis. This is because they have less bone mass, and the risk increases with increasing age. So, if you are underweight, you are at greater risk of getting osteoporosis.
Conclusion
By the time you reach age 30, you will have your maximum bone mass. So, it’s vital to take care of your bone health when you are in your early years by eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and maintaining a good lifestyle. This can help prevent the risk of getting osteoporosis.
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