Can i prevent osteoporosis?

Updated

January 2011 Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and break more often. People with osteoporosis most often break bones hip, spine and wrist. Who gets osteoporosis? In the United States more than 40 million people, or already have osteoporosis or are at high risk due to low bone mass. Osteoporosis can occur in both men and women in age but most commonly occurs in older women. What causes osteoporosis? Many risk factors can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Some of the things you can not change and others you can. Paul. Women get osteoporosis more often than men. Age. What you are older, the more your risk of osteoporosis. The size of the body. Small, thin women are at greater risk. Ethnicity. White and Asian women are most at risk. Black and Hispanic women have lower risk. Family history. Osteoporosis, for work in families. If a family member has osteoporosis or breaks a bone, is a big chance that you, too. Sex hormones. Low estrogen levels in the absence of menstruation or menopause can cause osteoporosis in women. Low testosterone can cause osteoporosis in men. Anorexia nervosa. This eating disorder can lead to osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D intake. A diet low in calcium and vitamin D makes you more prone to bone loss. Drug use. Some medications increase the risk of osteoporosis. The level of activity. Lack of physical activity or long-term bed rest can cause weak bones. Smoking. Cigarettes are bad for bones and heart, and lungs, too. Alcohol. Too much alcohol can lead to bone loss and fractures. Can I prevent osteoporosis? There are many steps that you can do to help keep your bones healthy. To help keep your bones strong and slow down bone loss, you can: >> << Do not drink more or smoke. A healthy diet is enough calcium and vitamin D helps make your bones strong. Many people get less than half the calcium they need. Good sources of calcium include:

Skim milk, yogurt and cheese

products with added calcium such as orange juice, cereals, and bread. Vitamin D is also needed to strengthen bones. Some people may need to take vitamin D pills. The table on this page shows the number of calcium and vitamin D you should get each day. Recommended Calcium and Vitamin D Source: Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, 2010. Exercise helps your bones become stronger. To improve bone strength, you can:

dance. Smoking is bad for bones as well as heart and lungs. Also, people who drink a lot of alcohol are more prone to bone loss and fractures due to poor diet and risk of falling. What are the symptoms of osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is called "silent disease" because bone loss in the absence of symptoms. You may not know that you have osteoporosis to stress, shock or fall resulting in broken bones. How is osteoporosis diagnosed? Bone mineral density test is the best way to check bone health. This test can:

Diagnosis of osteoporosis and that you will probably break a bone. See if the treatment makes bones stronger. How is osteoporosis treated? Medications, if needed. How can I prevent a fall? Men and women suffering from osteoporosis should take care not to fall. Falls can break bones. Some reasons people fall:

Some drugs, such as sleeping pills. In winter, put salt or cat litter on icy sidewalks. Save room empty, especially on the floor

Do not walk in socks, stockings, or slippers

Put handrails in the bathroom walls near tub, shower and toilet

Buy cordless phone to keep with you so you should not rush to the phone when it rings so that you can call for help if you fall. Website: Information in this publication was summarized in easy to read format with more detailed publication. To view, download or order the full-text, please. This newsletter may contain information about medications used to treat health discussed here. This newsletter was printed, we included the latest (accurate) information. Sometimes new information on drugs will not be released. To update and answer any questions about any medications you are taking, please contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration lasix drug heart

site.