Gender is an uncontrollable risk factor for developing osteoporosis because women have less bone tissue than men. Understanding osteoporosis is essential for protecting yourself from this condition.
- Osteoporosis is often referred to as a “silent disease” because many women don’t know they have it until they break a bone. A bone mineral density test is the most effective method of determining the health of your bones.
- Smoking can put you at a greater risk for osteoporosis by preventing necessary calcium from being absorbed into the body. Women who smoke also tend to have lower estrogen levels which put them at a higher risk for osteoporosis.
- Smaller women are at greater risk due to their thinner, more fragile bones.
- Medication is not the first line of treatment. The primary course of action after diagnosis includes proper diet, exercise, and fall prevention.
- Weight-bearing exercises such as weight training, hiking, and jogging add strength to bones. They also build muscle strength, coordination, and balance, which help to guard against falls and, in turn, fractures.
See your family physician or gynecologist to have your bone health evaluated.
From Women’s Health Today
