EMC Ideas: Prevent Osteoporosis

Recognizing the Risk Factors of Osteoporosis

The first step in preventing osteoporosis is to recognize the risk factors that you can control and take steps to minimize them. Aging and being female are, unfortunately, risk factors that are beyond our control. There is no way to stop aging and no way to change one’s sex at a genetic level. Other risk factors include low body weight, lack of certain sex related hormones (why menopause plays a role), and consumption of alcohol or tobacco use.

The Role of Body Weight in Osteoporosis

The first of the controllable risk factors is body weight. Obesity is running rampant in our country and many people go to extremes to fight it. It is critical to maintain a healthy body weight, not too heavy or too light, to maintain bone health. Do not allow yourself to lose too much weight trying to fit an image that is based on a fantasy. Control of your diet and a healthy exercise routine will go a long way toward preventing osteoporosis.

The Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Osteoporosis

The next risk factor that be controlled is hormones. Many women have begun regimens of hormone replacement therapy as a means of treating and/or preventing the development of osteoporosis. This is a decision that you must discuss with your doctor. Only he can tell you if hormone therapy would be viable as a treatment option for you.

The Role of Alcohol and Cigarettes in Osteoporosis

Alcohol and tobacco do terrible things to the human body. Their effects are not limited to just the liver or lungs. These drugs have systemic effects that are all negative to your health. Reducing alcohol consumption to a level equivalent to one serving per day can have some health benefits. Completely stopping tobacco use is imperative. Aside from the fact nicotine is a type of narcotic; the other chemicals in tobacco harm all of the tissues in the body and impair our ability to regenerate.

Factors that help in Preventing Osteoporis

Increased consumption of calcium and vitamin D will help reduce the chance of developing osteoporosis. This vitamin and mineral combination form the building blocks on which the body forms bone. It just makes sense that consuming more of these would help to offset the decreasing levels over time.

Osteoporosis can result in extremely painful bone fractures, even in situations that normally would not break a bone. Exercise and diet to maintain a healthy body weight, discussing hormone replacement with your doctor as you go through menopause, reducing or totally eliminating the use of alcohol and tobacco and increasing consumption of calcium and vitamin D are all methods of controlling the risk factors for developing osteoporosis. Starting early can make a huge difference in the density of your bones as you get older.