Osteoporosis

Women's Health Problems

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, a debilitating disease characterized by loss of bone mass is responsible for hip fractures each year. The thinning of the bones is extremely common in women. As many as 1 in 3 women are affected, compared to only 1 in 12 men, because women have a lower bone mass than men - and after the menopause, there's rapid loss of bone.

But it's not just a disease of the elderly. In the UK, thousands of women in their 50s suffer painful and deforming fractures because of osteoporosis. Broken bones - and the complications that can follow - are the major problem in osteoporosis. In the spine, the vertebrae can collapse, causing loss of height, deformity and sometimes severe pain. Hip and wrist fractures are also common. Unfortunately osteoporosis can be difficult to detect in its early stages, so it's important that you are aware if you're particularly vulnerable.

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(Women's Health Problems)

Cardiovascular Disease

Osteoporosis

Important risk factors for osteoporosis include:

	The menopause
	A family history of osteoporosis
	Thin or slender build
	Caucasian or Asian ethnic origin
	Calcium deficiency
	Excessive alcohol intake
	Taking little exercise
	Smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day

Certain medical conditions may also predispose to osteoporosis, as can drug treatments, particularly steroids.

Bone density scans can pick up osteoporosis. The most commonly used is a technique called DXA. If you are at risk from osteoporosis, you may need regular bone scans. Once bone loss has occurred, it cannot be reversed - but there are many things which can be done to prevent further thinning. These include:

A calcium-rich diet is important, although alone it won't stop osteoporosis. A daily intake of at least 1000mg of calcium is recommended (a little over a pint of milk).

Lifestyle changes such as cutting out smoking and alcohol can help.

Exercise. Weight bearing exercise for a minimum of 20 minutes, three times a week, is very good for strengthening bones. Exercise also helps to improve balance and co-ordination, thereby reducing the chance of falls and broken bones.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). After the menopause, lack of estrogen is the major reason why osteoporosis develops. HRT can restore estrogen in the body and greatly reduces the risk of fractures (it may cut fracture rates by 50%). However, it's not so for every woman.

There are a range of other medical treatments which you can get from your doctor which can help.

Ideally, you should be thinking about taking these steps well before the menopause (i.e., in your 30s) in order to build healthy bones before the major risk period.

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