Osteoporosis is a condition that is marked by significant bone loss. Losing too much of your bone structure places you at risk for serious fractures and breaks that can limit your mobility. Aging is a common factor that comes into play regarding bone loss, and these additional health concerns can increase your risk for developing this condition. Common risk factors that contribute to osteoporosis development include the following:
1. Poor nutrition or malabsorption
If you remember being told to drink lots of milk as a child, then you might also recall being told that it would give you strong bones. There is some truth to this as calcium and vitamin D are critical for bone growth. Although your body won’t produce bone mass like it did when you were a kid, eating a healthy diet rich in calcium (i.e., cheese, yogurt, almonds) and vitamin D (i.e., salmon, tuna, beef liver) can help you retain healthy bones and joints.
2. Being a smoker
Smoking has a similar effect on bones to malnutrition, which lowers the body’s ability to replenish and protect healthy bone mass. Smokers, particularly female smokers, are also known for having higher rates of osteoporosis. If you smoke, then talk to your doctor about interventions to help you quit, including nicotine patches, lozenges, and smoking cessation programs.
3. Low estrogen levels during menopause
One of the reasons why aging is a risk factor for bone loss is that it tends to affect people’s hormone levels. During menopause, estrogen levels become reduced, which can cause the female body to rejuvenate and produce less bone structure. For some women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with synthetic estrogen is an option that can stop the rapid degradation of bone mass.
4. Skipping daily exercise
Bones need regular stimulation to maintain their mass, and a lack of exercise stops this from happening. Walking helps to stimulate the bones in your legs, hips and spine. Light weight lifting is also helpful for stimulating bone growth in your arms, thighs, glutes, and shoulders. Keep in mind that you’ll want to get a doctor’s approval before you start any new form of exercise, but once you get the go-ahead, exercise should be part of your daily routine.
5. Certain chronic health conditions
Chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and chronic hepatitis C also impact your bone strength as well as the ability to replenish bone. Arthritis impacts bone development, and it could also cause you to skimp on exercise if you are living with chronic pain. Hepatitis C impacts your body’s ability to absorb important nutrients and produce hormones that contribute to bone growth.
6. Developing hyperthyroidism
This health condition impacts your body’s processes, including the production of hormones. Hyperthyroidism is also known for slowing down the body’s bone production, which can lead to a significant loss of overall mass. In some cases, the effects of this thyroid disorder are reversible, which makes prompt treatment even more critical.
7. Taking certain medications
Some people rely on medications to manage health conditions. While you might not have much of a choice, it is important to know the side effects of medications so that you can take steps to minimize long-term damage. Prednisone and other medications also impact bone structure. If you’re concerned about your medications, ask your physician whether or not you should be taking calcium supplements or other methods to maintain healthy bone mass.
Bone mass screenings are helpful for identifying osteoporosis early enough to take action and mitigate the damage. If you are prone to any of the preventable risk factors mentioned above, please talk to your family doctor about what to do now to protect your bones. Ceasing smoking and eating a nutritious diet are two simple changes that you can make today. Taking care of your health can help you to enjoy strong bones that support your body throughout your daily activities.