Learning Your Risks

Osteoporosis can affect men as well as women. That's why everyone needs to take care of their bones. Some characteristics, called risk factors, make bone loss more likely. Check your risk factors below. The more risk factors you have, the more you need to start protecting your bones.

Risks You May Have

• Are you a woman? Are you past menopause? The majority of people with osteoporosis are women. Those past menopause are more at risk.
• Did your mother or father have bone loss or fractures? Osteoporosis can run in families.
• Are you Caucasian or Asian? Osteoporosis affects all people, but mostly Caucasians and Asians.
• Are you a man over age 65? Men also lose bone, especially as they grow older.
• Do you use certain medications? Long-term use of some medications, including corticosteriods and anti-convulsants, can increase risk.
• Is your body type thin, small, or petite? People with these body types have less bone, so they're more at risk.

Risks You Can Affect

• Are you a woman with estrogen deficiency? Early menopause (before age 45) and surgical removal of the ovaries can decrease estrogen levels. If estrogen isn't replaced, more bone is lost.
• Is your diet low in calcium? Was it as a child? A diet low in calcium, either in the past or present, increases risk of bone loss.
• Do you avoid exercise? Bones, like muscles, get weak without exercise.
• Are you a heavy smoker? Were you in the past? Smoking decreases the body's ability to make bone.
• Do you drink a lot of alcohol? Did you in the past? Alcohol also decreases the body's ability to make bone.
• Do you drink a lot of coffee, soda, or other caffeinated beverages? Too much caffeine can keep bones from getting enough calcium.

Taking the Next Step

Now you know your risks. The next step is to protect your bone health by decreasing your risk factors. There isn't a single answer or cure for osteoporosis. Instead, a complete treatment plan includes medication, diet, and exercise. Your healthcare provider can help you get started.

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