Osteoporosis Treatment

Many risk factors cannot be changed or prevented. Your gender, for example. Women are more likely than men to lose bone mass. Age is another factor. The older you get, the less bone mass can be restored. If osteoporosis runs in your family, you are more likely to develop the disease. Race can also play a factor as people of Caucasian or Asian descent are more likely to suffer bone loss. Your body frame size also plays a role, as petite people may have a greater risk of developing the condition since they have less bone to lose.

Certain hormonal imbalances can put you at greater risk for decreasing bone density. Lower levels of estrogen at menopause are one of the leading risk factors for osteoporosis. Lower levels of testosterone in men can also accelerate the rate of bone loss. People who have an overactive thyroid are at risk because too much thyroid hormone causes bone loss.

Calcium and vitamin D are two building blocks for creating and maintaining healthy bone. This makes people with eating disorders more likely to have bone loss since they are not getting the vitamins and minerals they need to build bone.

Similarly, people who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery could be more at risk if the surgery either reduces the size of the stomach or removes part of your small intestine. Reducing the surface area in your gastrointestinal tract can curb the absorption of nutrients like vitamin D and calcium that are needed for bone growth.

Long-term use of certain medications can put you at greater risk of losing bone density. Oral or injectable corticosteroids can interfere with bone rebuilding. Other medications used to prevent seizures, cancer, gastric reflux, and transplant rejection have also been linked to osteoporosis.

Certain underlying medical conditions like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney or liver disease, and celiac disease have all been linked to osteoporosis. Some medical conditions require you to take medication that can hamper bone regrowth. Other medications can impair your ability to absorb calcium and vitamin D in your diet.

Certain lifestyle choices can put you at greater risk of bone loss. People who live a predominantly sedentary lifestyle are more at risk for developing osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises are a great way to increase bone mass and prevent bone loss. If you are sedentary, you are not giving your body the exercise it needs to maintain bone health. Excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco use can contribute to a decrease in bone density as well.