Risk Factors of Osteoporosis
There are many factors that can increase the risk of osteoporosis, including age, race, lifestyle, health, and treatment.
Constant risk factors
Some risk factors for osteoporosis are out of control, including:
Gender. Women are prone to develop osteoporosis than male.
Older. With age, the risk of osteoporosis increases.
Naturally. The risk of osteoporosis is higher if you are Caucasian or Asian. Having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis increases the risk, especially if your father or mother has a broken hip.
Height. Men and women with small body structures are at greater risk because they may have less bone mass that they can use during aging.
Hormone levels
Osteoporosis is more common in people who have too many or too few specific hormones in the body. Examples are:
Sexual hormones
Decreasing levels of sex hormones tend to weaken the bones. Lowering estrogen levels in postmenopausal women is one of the most important risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. Men experience a gradual decrease in testosterone levels with age. The treatment of prostate cancer, which lowers testosterone levels in men, and the treatment of breast cancer, which lowers estrogen levels in women, is likely to accelerate bone loss.
Thyroid problems
Due to the excessive amount of thyroid hormone bone loss can occur. This can happen if the thyroid gland is overactive or if you take too much thyroid hormone to treat hypothyroidism.
Other glands
Osteoporosis is also associated with hyperparathyroidism and adrenal glands.
Food factor
Osteoporosis is more common in people who:
Low calcium intake.
The calcium deficiency, which lasts a lifetime, plays a role in the development of osteoporosis. Low calcium intake helps reduce bone density, early bone loss, and increased fracture risk.
Eating disorder.
A strong restriction of food intake and underweight weakens the bones in both men and women.
Gastrointestinal Surgery
Surgery to reduce the size of the stomach or remove part of the intestine limits the available surface area to absorb nutrients, including calcium.
Choice of life
Some bad habits can increase the risk of osteoporosis. Examples are:
A sedentary lifestyle.
People who spend a lot of time in the seat are more likely to be exposed to osteoporosis than are more active. All exercises and support activities that promote balance and posture are good for the bones, but walking, running, jumping, dancing and lifting weights are particularly helpful.
Smoking
The exact role of smoking in osteoporosis is not well understood, but smoking has been shown to contribute to bone weakness.