Osteoporosis Risk Factors

Osteoporosis can affect both men and women. It is a disease that affects the bones, causing them to become fragile and brittle. Knowing the osteoporosis risk factors can help you prevent or slow the progression of osteoporosis.

There are two categories of risk factors, one category is the risk factors that cannot be changed or influenced and the second category is the risk factors that can be changed or influenced.

Risk factors of osteoporosis that cannot be changed or influence are:

• advancing age
• being female
• being of caucasian or asian race
• menopause *
• a family history of osteoporosis
• a thin or small build
• certain medical conditions (kidney or liver disease and overactive thyroid)

Risk factors of osteoporosis that can be changed or influenced are:

• low calcium intake
• lack of exercise
• smoking **
• certain medications *** (corticosteriods, anticonvulsants or thyroid hormones)
• alcohol

* Menopause is one of the major risk factors of osteoporosis. Estrogen, a female sex hormone, usually maintains the bone's density by keeping calcium in the bones. At menopause, estrogen levels are reduced and consequently, the amount of calcium in the bones is also reduced. Leaving the person more prone to developing osteoporosis. More information on how menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis.

** Smoking increases the risk of osteoporosis by increasing the likelihood of entering menopause at an earlier age.

*** Never stop taking any medications without first consulting your physician.