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Are you at risk of getting osteoporosis? Here’s how you can find out

Osteoporosis makes your bones weak and brittle, that even slight pressure can lead to bone damage. Here’s how you can find out, if you’re at a high risk of getting this disease
osteoporosis in elders
The older you get, the more damaging your falls can be. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Prof. (Dr.) Pradeep Bhosale Published: 26 Oct 2020, 07:00 pm IST
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You may not realise you have osteoporosis until you suffer from a fracture. Osteoporosis makes your bones brittle and weak, making them prone to fractures,  even if you have a mild fall or minor stress like bending over or coughing. 

How can you figure out your risk for osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is linked to numerous risk factors including age, gender, family history and medical conditions. 

Here are a few irreversible risk factors:

1. Age

The risk of osteoporosis increases with age. As you grow older, the higher is your risk.

2. Gender

Women are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than men.

3. Family History

If your parent or sibling suffers from osteoporosis, then you are at a higher risk of developing the disease.

Also, read: 5 ways to reduce your mum’s risk of osteoporosis, according to an ortho surgeon

4. Lifestyle

If you’re someone who is obese with a small body frame, then you have a higher risk of suffering from osteoporosis. The bone mass is less and keeps decreasing as you age. This can cause reduced bone mass to be drawn into the body.

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dairy and osteoporosis
Reduce the risk of osteoporosis by living a healthy lifestyle! Image Courtesy: Shutterstock
5. Dietary factors

A low calcium intake combined with an eating disorder can increase your risk of osteoporosis. Low calcium intake causes diminished bone density, premature bone loss and easy fractures. Eating disorders can lead to significant weight loss, thereby causing early bone loss and an increased risk of fractures. If you have undergone a gastrointestinal surgery to resize your stomach or to remove a part of your intestines, your body’s limit to absorb nutrients decreases.

6. Lifestyle choices

People who have a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of time sitting and working have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. If you are an active person and are someone who does daily exercise, this helps promote balance and good posture. This will benefit your bones and help in maintaining good bone health. Excessive alcohol and tobacco use can contribute to weak bones thereby increasing your risk of osteoporosis.

It’s better to be safe than sorry! Be mindful of these risk factors, and take action before it’s too late/

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About the Author

Prof. (Dr.) Pradeep Bhosale is the Director at Arthritis & Joint Replacement Surgery, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital ...Read More

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