Osteoporosis: Causes & Risk factors

Osteoporosis: Causes & Risk factors

In men and women, there are other factors which can increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Risk of osteoporosis is mainly hereditary with 70-80% of bone strength being genetically determined. A close family history (e.g. parents, grandparents) of diagnosed osteoporosis is therefore an important risk factor.

A maternal history (mother) of hip fracture can also significantly increase your own risk of hip fracture.

Other risk factors include:

• Breaking a bone after a minor fall (low trauma fracture)
• Early menopause (before 45 years of age)
• Long term or high dose use of steroids
• Family history of diagnosed osteoporosis including maternal history of hip fracture
• Medical conditions which may affect the absorption of food including; ulcerative colitis, crohns disease, coeliac disease, gastric surgery and liver disease.
• Other medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism (overactive thyroid, parathyroid glands)
• Certain medications e.g. long term anti-epileptic medications, aromatase inhibitor medications which are often used as part of breast cancer treatment.
• Amenorrhoea or menopause (absence of menstrual periods) for greater than 6 months for reasons other than pregnancy e.g. as a result of an eating disorder or over-exercising.
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol intake – more than 14units per week for women and 21 units per week for men. (1 unit = 1 small glass of wine, 1 measure of spirit or ½ pint of beer or lager).
• A diet low in calcium (less than 700mg calcium daily).
• Lack of weight bearing exercise e.g. walking, jogging, dancing, aerobics
• Being underweight

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Currently, the most accurate test available for diagnosing osteoporosis is a Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. This is a simple type of x-ray which involves using low doses of radiation to measure bone density. It involves you lying on a firm couch whilst an x-ray arm passes over you and does not involve you going into a “tunnel” and the x-ray arm does not touch you.

It is a painless procedure which takes about 10 minutes and it measures bone density in the lower spine and hips. These measurements give an overall prediction of your bone density and strength. Dexa scans are usually only done in those people at highest risk of osteoporosis and you have to be referred by a doctor.

Tagged as: bone, breast, Breast Cancer, Calcium, diet, Exercise, high, History, increase, low, Medical, menopause, Osteoporosis, Pregnancy, use, weight, Women