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Q: What is osteoporosis?
A:
Osteoporosis causes bones to become fragile (or weak) and can place an individual at increased risk of hip and vertebral fractures during a lifetime. The chronic disease can be prevented by incorporating the recommended daily calcium requirements for your age and adequate physical activity at all stages of life but is particularly important from infancy to age 30. Until age 30, bone formation is an ongoing process-old bone is reabsorbed and new bone is formed to assure large, heavier, and dense bones. Osteoporosis is more likely to develop if you did not reach optimal bone mass during bone formation years. Even with proper diet and exercise, certain risk factors predispose a person to developing osteoporosis.
Risk factors that cannot be changed:
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Gender-your risk is greater if you are female.
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Age-the older you are, the greater your risk.
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Body size-small, thin-boned women are at greater risk.
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Ethnicity-Caucasian and Asian women are at highest risk.
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Family history-susceptibility to fractures.
Risk factors that can be changed:
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Not enough physical activity.
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A lifetime diet low in calcium and vitamin D.
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Cigarette smoking.
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Sex hormones: abnormal absence of menstrual periods and low estrogen levels in women; low testosterone levels in men.
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Use of certain medications, such as glucocorticoids and some anticonvulsants.
Q: Where can I go for information on osteoporosis?
A:
Ask your doctor for information during an appointment.
Q: What is bone density?
A:
Bone density refers to the density and strength of bones.
Q: What is the bone density test (BMD)?
A:
The BMD test, a simple non-invasive test, is used to predict if you are
at risk
for fractures from osteoporosis.
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