Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones get weakened and you are at more risk of breaking them. Bones lose their density and the bones microstructure gets destructed, these two are the main causes for bone fractures. Osteoporosis is usually an accumulated condition. It happens mostly because of a person’s life style, food intake, and some natural factors. The risk factors that contribute to osteoporosis include older age, body condition, family history, medication, race, and health condition. As a fact, osteoporosis is found in 505 women and a quarter of men above 50 years old. So you see how common the condition is. However, those who are older, have small or thin body figure, have a family history of osteoporosis, take certain medications or have osteopenia, and are white or Asian, have higher risks of suffering from osteoporosis.

In most cases, patients do not realize they get osteoporosis until at least a bone is broken. It is good to take the bone mineral density test at an early age so that you know and can keep track of your bone health. Even if you do not score well in the test, earlier actions can be taken to prevent severe osteoporosis. You can, for instance, take a diet rich in vitamin D and calcium, reduce bone-damaging beverages such as soda, exercise regularly, take vitamin D supplements, etc. Osteoporosis can be avoided if you realize the importance of having enough vitamin D and calcium in your diet from an early age. Exposing your body to morning sunrise for 15 minutes can suffice your daily need of vitamin D. Drinking high calcium milk regularly is also of great benefits. This is necessary especially for women as they lose a lot of calcium in the bones during some phases of live. Women, for example, during pregnancy lose a lot of calcium as the process of child birth takes a lot of calcium from their bones. That is why it is vital to stress on extra calcium consumption during pregnancy and post-natal periods. Also, women are at more risks of osteoporosis at post-menopausal ages. Abnormal absence of menstrual periods or having an eating disorder is also related to weakening bones.

Both women and men also are at higher risks of osteoporosis due to lack of exercise and body movement. If you stay at home or sit behind the office desk everyday, then be careful. Manage to exercise regularly so that your bones and muscles can work well. The standard requirement for exercise is three times a week, each 30 minutes. In most cases of osteoporosis in men, there is high relationship with factors such as their smoking habits, testosterone amount, and drinking habits. So now you know what to change in your lifestyle to prevent osteoporosis.