Risks and Signs of Osteoporosis

You might feel like you are too young to worry about this condition, but that is exactly the point. If you wait until you are older age, it might be too late. Now is the time to start preventing osteoporosis, no matter what age you are now.

So, what is osteoporosis? This is a type of bone disease that leads to losing bone at a more rapid pace than normal for aging. It is much more common in women than in men, and in many cases, is from nutrient deficiencies and other lifestyle choices.

Here are some risks and signs to know about when it comes to osteoporosis in women.

Signs and Symptoms

Unfortunately, during the early stages of osteoporosis, you won’t notice many signs. It isn’t until it advances that you start noticing symptoms. Though once it advances further, you might start noticing weird symptoms, such as:

Gradually losing height over time. Having a bad posture, where you are stooped over, is similar to a humpback. Having consistent and chronic back pain. Noticing that your bones break very easily.

Whether or not you think it is from osteoporosis, these are all good reasons to see a doctor and find out why you are dealing with these physical changes.

What Raises Your Risk?

The good news is that by knowing if you are at high risk, you are able to work to prevent it, change your lifestyle, and see a doctor for early detection.

As a woman, you are already at a high risk since this is much more common in women than men. Other risk factors include:

• Being an older woman.
• Being Caucasian or Asian.
• Having a family history with other women who had osteoporosis.
• Having a smaller body frame.
• Poor diet and lack of exercise.
• Imbalance of hormones, particularly sex hormone levels.

Prevention Through Lifestyle Changes

If you are a woman of any age, it is never too early to start preventing osteoporosis. You can do this by eating a properly balanced diet (not too little or too much), with lots of vitamins and minerals, and making sure you get a good amount of calcium each day.

It is also a good idea to focus on a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, and not drinking or smoking.

What Happens if You Have Osteoporosis?

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, the main risk you have fractures because of weakened bones and bone loss. You will need to follow your doctor’s treatment plan and be very careful with your physical activities. You should avoid anything that increases your risk of falling, as fractures can happen very easily.