| Osteoporosis is frequently referred to as brittle bone | | | | 4. Being Caucasian or Asian |
| disease, which simply means that you have thin | | | | 5. Experiencing an early menopause |
| bones. It is not typically a painful condition however | | | | 6. Excessive alcohol consumption |
| pain is frequently experienced only when you break | | | | 7. Taking steroid medication |
| an infected bone. | | | | 8. Disproportionate weight to height |
| Given osteoporosis has no visible symptoms and | | | | 9. The removal of your ovaries |
| doesn't present any pain it is more than feasible that | | | | 10. The cessation of periods of six months or more |
| you could have this brittle bone disease without | | | | (excluding pregnancy) |
| knowing it. In the vast majority of cases individuals | | | | There are in addition to this several medical conditions |
| only discover they have the condition following a | | | | which make individuals more susceptible to |
| relatively minor fall resulting in a spell in hospital with a | | | | osteoporosis. These include rheumatoid arthritis, |
| broken bone. | | | | thyroid disease and any other condition which affects |
| The condition is typically diagnosed using a special | | | | the ability of the body to absorb nutrients such as |
| scan called the dexa scan. This type of scan is most | | | | calcium which are of course essential for your healthy |
| effective given ordinary x-rays will not reveal signs of | | | | bones. |
| osteoporosis until such time as the disease is in its | | | | To help prevent osteoporosis ensure that you eat a |
| very advanced stage. | | | | rich diet full of calcium and undertake regular weight |
| There are several groups of individuals who are a risk | | | | bearing exercise such as walking, dancing and jogging. |
| of contracting osteoporosis and these factors can | | | | Also try to maintain a healthy body weight and if you |
| include; | | | | smoke, consider giving up now. Do not consume |
| 1. Being a smoker | | | | alcohol to excessive levels and avoid any gassy |
| 2. Taking no weight bearing exercise | | | | drinks given they interfere with the absorption of the |
| 3. A family history of osteoporosis | | | | body in terms of calcium. |