Osteoporosis

There are several osteoporosis risk factors that are associated with this disease that commonly affects older women. In some cases, you can do something about your osteoporosis risk. In other cases, you can take preventative measures to try to cut down on the loss of bone mineral density that leads to this condition.

Some of the osteoporosis risk factors include the following:

Heredity
Poor diet
Obesity
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Osteopenia
Menopause

Of all of these osteoporosis risk factors, some of them can be controlled while others are not able to be controlled at all. Obviously, you cannot do anything about heredity factors in which a mother or sister has had this condition. Those who have a first degree relative are at a greater osteoporosis risk than those who do not see this condition run in the family. It is recommended that those who have a higher osteoporosis risk seek out testing for this disease earlier than other women so that it can be caught in time.

Menopause as a Risk Factor for Osteoporosis

Menopause is another of the osteoporosis risk factors that no woman can do anything about. Menopause is a natural condition in which a woman is no longer of child bearing years. The vast majority of osteoporosis cases are women who are postmenopausal.

Menopause puts a woman at a greater osteoporosis risk. It is at this time when women are often advised to watch their diet, make sure that they have plenty of calcium in their diet, take Vitamin D to absorb the calcium in the bloodstream and also avoid foods that can end up diminishing the amount of calcium in the body. Because of the osteoporosis risk in post menopausal women, bone density tests are usually recommended at yearly physicals.
Obesity as a Risk Factor for Osteoporosis

Obesity is another of the osteoporosis risk factors that can be controlled. Those who are overweight are at a greater osteoporosis risk as well at risk for other diseases such as diabetes that can be contributory to the condition. Following a good diet and exercise routine to maintain a healthy weight can greatly decrease the chance of getting this disease by at least twenty percent and will also lead to other health benefits.

Osteopenia is a condition that is a precursor to osteoporosis. This is another of the osteoporosis risk factors that is beyond the control of most women. Proper treatment options should be used when it comes to those who are diagnosed with this condition so that they do not develop osteoporosis.

Another osteoporosis risk is pregnancy, although this is rare. Diabetes also increases osteoporosis risk factors, so it is important that those who have this underlying condition make sure that they are compliant with their treatment so that they can avoid this disease.

Other osteoporosis risk factors are easier to control. A poor diet, for example, that is rich in phosphates as well as red meats, alcohol and caffeine can be avoided. Those who wish to cut down on their osteoporosis risk can eat foods that are high in calcium such as salmon, skim milk, low fat yogurt and vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower.