September 21, 2014
Are You At Risk for Osteoporosis?
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Osteoporosis is a very common condition that makes bones weak and more likely to break easily. About nine million Americans currently suffer from this, and as a result there are about 1.5 million fractures annually, many of them very serious. Once it develops it cannot be reversed, but with appropriate diet and exercise it can be avoided, and if you are already diagnosed with osteoporosis, the same diet and exercise suggestions can slow down the progression of this condition.
Our bones are not solid: They resemble a honeycomb. Our bodies are continually making new bone and removing old bone. As with many body functions, the rot can set in as early as age 30. At this point, the body simply breaks down more bone that it constructs, so that over time the spaces inside the 'honeycomb' get bigger, which affects the strength and structural integrity of the bones.
Unfortunately, this condition has no symptoms, and sufferers are usually unaware of any problem until a fracture occurs or they experience a collapsed vertebra.
Those most at risk from osteoporosis tend to be women, but both sexes can develop this condition. It is found mostly in Caucasians and Asians, those over the age of 50, those who are small-boned or slightly built, and those who have a family history of this condition. One approximate guide to whether you are 'small-boned' is to measure the circumference of your wrists. For a man, anything below seven inches indicates a slightly-built skeletal frame.
Factors which can increase your risk include regular consumption of alcohol, smoking, and a number of medications -- long-term use of anti-seizure drugs, hormone drugs such as HCG, certain anti-cancer drugs, and excessive use of antacids that contain aluminum. Similarly, it is not a good idea to use aluminum pans or utensils for cooking.
Some hospitals offer free bone density tests for those who think that they may be at risk.
Whether or not you think you may be at risk, here are some tips to keep your bones dense and strong as the years pass:
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.