Osteoporosis: Risk and Prevention
Osteoporosis affects more than 25 million Americans--mostly women past menopause--approximately 1.2 million bone fractures each year in the US are related to osteoporosis. The National Osteoporsis Foundation says that one in two women and one in eight men over 50 will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime.Thirty-three percent of women over 65 will experience a fracture of the spine and as many as 20% of hip fracture patients die within 6 months from conditions caused by lack of activity such as blood clots and pneumonia.
Throughout life bones go through a constant state of loss and regrowth, however as people age the loss accelerates to the point that regrowth cannot keep up and osteoporosis may develop. Osteoporosis causes the bones to become thin and fragile, increasing the chance of breaking with even minor injury.
As women age estrogen levels decrease and the risk of osteoporosis increases. Women who take birth control pills during their reproductive years may reduce their risk of osteoporosis developing later in life, probably because of the estrogen that many oral contraceptives contain. Estrogen replacement therapy helps to protect women against bone loss. Dr. John Lee explains in his book, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause," that studies show that natural progesterone increases bone density in some women who have already experienced bone loss.
Symptoms of bone loss include back pain or tenderness, a loss of height, and a slight curvature or 'hump' of the upper back.
Are You at Risk for Osteoporosis?
- During menopause the level of estrogen produced by the ovaries greatly decreases causing the risk of bone loss to increase significantly.
- Surgical menopause with the removal of the ovaries accelerates the process of bone loss to a rapid level unless estrogen replacement therapy is begun.
- An inadequate intake of calcium throughout life increases the chance of bone loss since calcium is one of the main components in bone.
- White women and Asian women face the greatest risk of osteoporosis.
- An inactive lifestyle puts women at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis.
- Women with a slender build experience more bone loss than other women.
- A history of eating disorders increases the risk of osteoporosis.
- Women whose family history includes osteoporosis have a higher risk of developing this condition.
- Some medications such as diuretics, steroids, and anticonvulsants increase the risk.
- Women who smoke or drink alcohol experience a higher incidence of osteoporosis.
