Risk Factors For Osteoporosis
Risk factors for
osteoporosis include advanced age, family history, menopause, a low-calcium diet, inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol use, eating disorders and use of medications such as corticosteroids or anticonvulsants.
Factors you can control:
• Not getting enough calcium or vitamin D, either from diet or supplements
• A sedentary lifestyle, especially when young and a life’s worth of bone mass is being developed
• Smoking
• Over consumption of alcohol
• Consumption of carbonated beverages
According to Dr. Lauri Seymour, an internist with Advanced Healthcare, the reason to avoid sodas is not merely because soda is often consumed instead of calcium-containing beverages, but because of its phosphorus content. "Pop can upset the calcium/phosphorus balance and cause leeching of calcium from the bones. Darker sodas tend to be a little bit worse."
Factors you cannot control:
• Gender – women have a five times greater risk than men of getting osteoporosis
• Genetics – the upper limit of bone mass a person can acquire is genetically determined
• Ethnic heritage. White and Asian women are at higher risk, however African-American and Hispanic women are also at risk.
• Thin, small-boned frame. However, heavier women can also suffer from osteoporosis and contrary to popular belief being overweight does not protect one from the disease.
• Broken bones, stooped posture in older family members, which may indicate osteoporosis, or a known family history of the disease.
• Early estrogen deficiency. This may be due to early menopause (before age 45) or from surgical removal of the ovaries.
• Advanced age.
• Prolonged use of some medications including excessive thyroid hormone (
see thyroid disorders), some anti-seizure medications and certain anti-inflammatory medications including prednisone, used to treat asthma, arthritis and some cancers.
• Growth hormone deficiency in children and adolescents.
