ASK THE EXPERTS- OCTOBER 2016

Dear Ask the Experts;

I’m 52 and my mother has osteoporosis.  Can you please give me a quick rundown on whether I will develop osteoporosis?  What exactly are the risk factors? Thank you, I love your website.

Kim

Dear Kim-

If you are a female and over 50, that puts you at risk because some women lose their bone mass at menopause and the years beyond.  Some other risk factors include:

• Caucasian or Asian descent
• A history of bone fractures
• A family history of osteoporosis
• Being thin or small framed
• Low estrogen after premature or surgically induced menopause
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol use
• Anorexia or bulimia
• Height loss
• Low calcium intake
• Use of corticosteroids

Please remember, the symptoms of osteoporosis are silent.  Women are two to three times more likely than men to suffer osteoporosis than men.  And, more women actually die of complications from osteoporosis than breast cancer.  So, it’s important for you to know your risk factors, do all you can to keep your bones strong and healthy by paying attention to your diet and eat the right amount of calcium, and get 15 minutes of sunshine per day for vitamin D.  Don’t forget to exercise regularly and incorporate strength training and weight bearing exercise (walking, dancing, lifting weights).  These efforts will help.

And, see your clinician regularly.  He/she will provide you information about osteoporosis, and provide the help you need to preventing and treating osteoporosis.

Thank you again for logging onto www.redhotmamas.org and asking your question.