The statistical data regarding osteoporosis incidence in the United States was more or less 52 million people in 2010 and may go up to 63 million by 2020. Osteoporosis is the porous bone disease described as the thinning of the bones or the loss of bone density. The many risk factors explain why we speak millions when talking about osteoporosis.
Beyond doubt, the clich Prevention is better than cure relates to the case of osteoporosis. Yet, there is no identified cure for osteoporosis, though you can treat the ailment with bone drugs like Fosamax. Then again, repercussion may come in the form of adverse reactions, and in this case,
Fosamax may cause a femur fracture to its long-term patronizers.
In order for us to think of ways to dodge osteoporosis it is highly substantial that we get an insight on the risk factors of osteoporosis. There are aspects that are unchangeable while others can still be changed. The non-modifiable factors of osteoporosis are:
Gender. This disease is twice likely to incur in women than in men.
Age. Elder people tend to lose bone mass faster.
Ethnicity. White and Asian women have elevated risk while, on the other hand, Black and Hispanic women are at lesser risk.
Family history: It tends to run in the family.
Other factors that you can change include:
Sex hormones. Women who are estrogen-deficient like in the menopausal stage, as well as men with low testosterone levels, are likely to endure the bouts of osteoporosis.
Anorexia nervosa. It is an eating disorder characterized by the refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight.
Calcium and Vitamin D intake. A diet with low intake of these nutrients can make you prone to bone loss.
Lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyle or lengthened bed immobility can reduce the strength of the bones.
Cigarette smoking. Smoking cigarettes can abate the bones.
Alcohol intake. If intake of alcohol is already excessive it may elevate the risks of bone loss and fracture.
Knowing the risk factors of osteoporosis can give us an idea how likely we are to suffer from this disease. The same treatment drug Fosamax may also serve as prophylactic measures for the said bone-crippling illness. Even though this would suggest that you may have to put up with the
side effects of Fosamax.
