Set out below are the major risk factors with regard to osteoporosis.
- Age. Bone density decreases with age. For women bone loss accelerates after the menopause when the production of oestregen slows down at 45-55 years
of age. For men bone thinning gradually develops when the production of testosterone slows down at 45-50 years of age. Osteporosis usually develops
after the age of sixty.
- Gender. Women tend to have smaller and lighter bones than men and are thus four times more likely to develop osteoporosis.
- Bone density in early life. Peak bone density occurs at about the age of thirty and depends on exercise and diet. If peak bone density is low
then the chances of developing osteoporsis are enhanced.
- Frame Size. Men and women who are exceptionally thin or have small body frames tend to have higher risk because they may have less
bone mass to draw from as they age.
- Family history. Having relatives who have osteoporosis or a history of fractures is a significant risk factor.
- Smoking. Smokers lose bone density faster than non-smokers.
- Alcohol use. Heavy use of alcohol decreases bone growth and increases the risk of falling.
- Exercise. Peak bone density is determined by diet and exercise. Individuals who do not exercise during their teenage years will have a
lower bone density and thus be at greater risk of developing osteporosis.
- Being small framed or thin. Men and women who are exceptionally thin or have small body frames tend to have higher risk as they
have lower bone density.
- Diet low in foods containing calcium, vitamin D and phosphorous. Calcium is used to grow bones and teeth. Vitamin D and phosphorous help bones
absorb calcium.
- Hyperthyroidism. This is a condition whereby the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone.
- European and Asian ancestry. People of a Caucasian or Asian background are at much greater risk than Afro-Caribbean people.
- Inactivity. Exercise promotes bone density and slows down bone loss. A lack of exercise or a sedentary lifestyle is a significant risk factor.
- Medication. The following medicines are known to contribute to the development of osteoporsis- corticosteroids, aromatase inhibitors, thyroid
replacement medication, Depo Provera, antacids that contain aluminium. Some diuretics also cause calcium loss.
- Medical Conditions and procedures that reduce calcium absorption increase the risk of osteoporosis. These include stomach surgery and conditions like
Crohn's Disease, hyperparathyroidism and anorexia nervosa.
- Early menopause. Women who have an early menopause will also produce less oestregen at an earlier age thus increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
- Surgical removal of ovaries or ovaries not working properly.
- Breast cancer. Postmenopausal women who have had breast cancer are at increased risk of osteoporosis, especially if they were treated with
chemotherapy or aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane, which suppress estrogen. This isn't true for women treated
with tamoxifen, which may reduce the risk of fractures.
