The Southeastern Spine Institute

osteoporosis risks The likelihood of you getting osteoporosis is actually fairly high. Across America, 10 million people are suffering from the disease, while another 44 million have an increased chance of getting it later. So the earlier you get a checkup by a doctor to test your bone density, the better the chance of understanding osteoporosis and the risks it poses to your well-being.

Osteoporosis and back pain make a killer combination. Lower back pain already affects 85 percent of the population. You can lose your ability to stand, sit or even walk properly once your bone density and strength weaken. The doctors at the Southeastern Spine Institute (SSI) need to take a complete medical history before treating your back pain to rule out osteoporosis.

Age and Gender

People between the ages of 30 to 50 years of age have a high probability of developing osteoporosis. This is mainly because the ratio between bone-building and bone loss becomes wider during the middle-age years. This leads to having bones with holes in them that can break easily. Hip fractures are more prevalent because of this disease, with many people breaking hip bones more than once in a lifetime.

Women are more prone to osteoporosis risks than men. Worldwide, 200 million women are suffering from this silent disease, according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation. Vertebral fractures, on the other hand, occur every 22 seconds worldwide for women over 50 years of age. Early diagnosis of the disease is therefore absolutely necessary to help you strengthen weaker bones.

Genetics and Ethnicity

Getting osteoporosis can be caused by your DNA. If you have a family member, especially a mother or sister, suffering from the disease, your osteoporosis risks increase exponentially. You need to consult a doctor immediately to see where you stand regarding the disease. Worldwide, 58 percent of women injure their backs, leading to loss of height, immobility, hunched back and even heart problems.

Another predominant osteoporosis risk connects to your ethnicity. White women over the ages of 50 are more susceptible to the disease than other races. But research shows that Asian women and women from Latin America also have a higher affinity than African American women. If you suffer from back pain, talk to the doctors at SSI to see if osteoporosis might be a reason for the pain.

Everyday Life Osteoporosis Risks

Modern day life has created a viable environment for the osteoporosis disease to grow. Lack of exercise and the penchant for sitting still for lengthy periods of time all contribute to weakening bones. Smoking and alcohol also plays a leading role. At the same time, the decreasing consumption of dairy products and playing outdoors has led to calcium and Vitamin D deficiencies.

Hormonal changes during menopause lead women to have increased osteoporosis risks. Certain medications can also damage the bone-building process and increase osteoporosis risks, as well, including medicine for:

  • Thyroid conditions
  • Epilepsy
  • Depression
  • Irritable bowel disease
  • Cancer

If you recently broken or fractured a bone, it’s a good idea to follow up with the experienced doctors at SSI to determine whether or not you have osteoporosis, higher osteoporosis risks or osteopenia, which is a precursor to the full-blown bone disease. Early detection helps prevent the progression of this potentially debilitating disease.