Osteoporosis- Definition, Risk Factors and Prevention

Osteoporosis is a bone disease which causes apersonal history of low bone mass, being female,
deterioration of bone density and low bone mass.being thin (male or female) having abnormal menstrual
This is dangerous because is causes the bones toperiods for women, currently having or have had
become fragile (especially the hips, spine and wrists)anorexia nervosa in the past, eating a diet low
and there is increased risk of broken bones and slowvitamin D and calcium currently and throughout your
recovery periods. Osteoporosis can affect any bone,life, having an inactive life style, having low
but special attention is placed on the hips and spine,testosterone levels in men, being a smoker, being a
because the breaking of these bones can result inheavy drinker and being Caucasian or Asian.
long term injury including difficulty walking,However, keep in mind that people with these risk
hospitalization, deformity, loss of height, severe painfactors are not the only people who can get this
and even death. You should ask your doctor todisease, and all people are at risk and should be
check you bone density levels yearly, since thischecked for the disease regularly.
disease often has no symptoms at all. When aThere are certain things you can do to prevent your
person finally does experience any symptoms, theyrisk of developing osteoporosis including consuming a
are usually so far into the disease that what they arediet rich in vitamin D and calcium, having an active
feeling is back pain because of a fractured vertebra.lifestyle and doing weight baring exercises, quitting
Women are more likely to contract this disease thansmoking, drinking alcohol in moderation and taking
men, often due to menopause, in which bone lossregular bone density tests. Doctors and health
increases. One in four women are affected with thisprofessionals both agree that this is a very
disease, while only one in eight men are. Certainpreventable disease as long as you take proper care
people are at a high risk factor for developing thisof your health. Even if you start taking these
disease however, and you should be cautious if youprecautions late in life, they will still lower your chance
have any of the following risk factors. Having aof developing the disease.