Understanding the Risk Factors of This Condition

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that is characterized by the weakening of the bones, making it more brittle and easier to break. It is a serious condition that affects approximately 10 million Americans including celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Sally Field. The good news is, osteoporosis is treatable and can be prevented. This May, as the country observe National Osteoporosis Awareness Month, let’s all strive to do our part in getting the information to more people, especially to individuals who are at a higher risk to develop this condition.

Factors that make osteoporosis more likely:

• Age- Adults 50 years or older have a higher risk due to loss of bone mass.
• Diet- Individuals who don’t get enough calcium and vitamin D have an increased risk.
• Exercise- An inactive lifestyle can increase the risk for osteoporosis.
• Smoking- Smoking leads to bone loss and increased risk of fracture.
• Medications- Certain medications such as those for seizure and cancer can increase your risk of osteoporosis.

Women are also said to be at higher risk than men to develop osteoporosis. If your family has a history of osteoporosis, there is an increased chance that you would develop this condition as well.

Show Your Support for The Campaign

There are several ways that you can show your support for osteoporosis awareness this May or even after.

To give you some ideas, here are some helpful suggestions:

• Start with yourself- Whether you have a higher risk or not, bone health should not be taken for granted. Increase your calcium and vitamin D intake, kick the smoking habit for good, start a fitness routine, and have a lifetime of good bone health.
• Encourage your family and friends- As you make your way to good bone health, encourage your family and friends to join you. For your parents or grandparents, you may also want to talk to them and discuss the importance of bone health, especially at their age.
• Share the information- There are many available literature and videos provided by the National Osteoporosis Foundation that you can share with your followers and network on social media. This is especially helpful if you want to start a conversation about this serious condition.

Instead of increasing our risk to develop osteoporosis, let’s increase the awareness to fight this disease. There is no better time to start working on our bone health than now.

This article contains general information about medical conditions and treatments. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such. The information is not intended to replace the advice or diagnosis of a physician. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare providers.