While osteoporosis is commonly associated with older women, all women should be concerned about their risk of having the disease. Understanding the risk factors that directly affect you, as well as the little efforts you can take today to reduce your risk, is critical to maintaining bone health well into your golden years. Your doctor should talk to you about osteoporosis whether you’re in your twenties or nineties, somewhere in between or well out of the range.
Osteoporosis Q & A
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disorder that affects your bone density. Osteoporosis causes fragile, porous bones in women, making them more prone to fractures.
In the United States alone, 55 percent of persons aged 50 and up suffer from osteoporosis or a loss of bone mass, equal to 44 million people. Osteoporosis is a prevalent condition.
What indications and symptoms do you have if you have osteoporosis?
The majority of women are unaware that they have osteoporosis because the condition has no visible signs or symptoms until a fracture occurs.
Because it’s unlikely that you’ll notice signs and symptoms of osteoporosis, it’s critical to plan your annual physical or well-woman check, during which you’ll be screened for osteoporosis when your age or risk factors indicate it’s time.
What are the causes of osteoporosis?
When the body absorbs too much old bone or fails to create enough new bone, osteoporosis develops. In the majority of cases, osteoporosis is caused by a lack of estrogen in women. Other factors that can contribute to osteoporosis development include:
- A calcium or vitamin D deficiency
- Insufficient physical activity
- Cushing’s syndrome is a medical condition that affects the adrenal glands.
- Muscle inactivity
- Bone cancer history
- Thyroid difficulties
- a number of drugs
- You’re not receiving enough calcium in your diet on a daily basis.
Who is the most vulnerable to osteoporosis?
Women are far more likely than males to get osteoporosis, so if you’re a woman, you’re already at a higher risk than a man. Small, thin women, older women, Asian and white women are all at higher risk of having the condition.
Cigarette smoking, anorexia, bulimia, alcohol intake, long-term inactivity, and long-term anticonvulsant use all raise your risk. Rheumatoid arthritis might also raise your chances of acquiring osteoporosis.
Why is it essential to seek medical help if you have osteoporosis?
Untreated osteoporosis can cause severe lower back discomfort, making it difficult to carry out daily tasks such as clothing, caring for your home, and caring for your loved ones’ pets.
People with osteoporosis are also at a higher risk of bone fractures. A broken bone can result from simple weight-bearing.
A person with osteoporosis, for example, may break a hip and then fall, rather than falling and breaking a hip. A broken bone can be caused by the simple weight of the upper body.
Call or book an appointment online today if you need assistance getting back to your best health.
