In the United States, about 8 million women have osteoporosis , compared with only 2 million men. They may recommend your first bone scan also called dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DXA scan at age 35 if you have other risk factors. Here are just a few of the reasons why you need to start thinking about your bone health no matter what your age or fitness level.
Because most women are shorter and smaller than men, their bones are already lighter and more prone to breakage. If you weigh pounds or less, your bones are especially at risk for developing osteoporosis. Estrogen protects your bones from losing calcium. We may recommend dietary and lifestyle changes as well as calcium supplements.
But most women regain bone mass after childbirth, and pregnancy may protect against osteoporosis in the long term. Women live, on average, almost five years longer than men do. A longer life, therefore, puts you at increased risk for hip fractures and other debilitating bone fractures. Covid Safety. Contact Us. Become a carer. About HomeTouch. Help and Support. Articles Conditions Osteoporosis. Why osteoporosis is common in women Many women lose height and develop a humped back in old age.
This is because of the high prevalence of osteoporosis in older women. The condition leads to bone thinning, which leads to spinal fractures, which leads to loss of height and a rounding of the back.
Osteoporosis is a very common condition, especially in the elderly. What are healthy bones? The body usually breaks down bone and builds new tissue to replace it. This process causes bones to become progressively more porous and at risk of fracture. Research shows that men tend to have denser, stronger bones. So, although bone loss still occurs in men from middle age, it is less likely to lead to significant osteoporosis. If you would like to learn more about osteoporosis; the history, causes, and the various treatments, see Osteoporosis: A Deeper Dive How do bones become unhealthy?
W omen are particularly at risk after the menopause, because of a significant dip in oestrogen levels. Getting plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and exercise is a good start, Orwoll says. Calcium is a mineral that helps bones stay strong. It can come from the foods you eat—including milk and milk products, dark green leafy vegetables like kale and collard greens—or from dietary supplements. Women over age 50 need 1, mg of calcium a day.
Men need 1, mg a day from ages 51 to 70 and 1, mg a day after that. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. You can also get vitamin D from dietary supplements and from certain foods, such as milk, eggs, fatty fish, and fortified cereals. Exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise, helps bones, too. Weight-bearing exercises include jogging, walking, tennis, and dancing.
The pull of muscles is a reminder to the cells in your bones that they need to keep the tissue dense. Smoking, in contrast, weakens bones. Heavy drinking does too—and makes people more likely to fall. Certain drugs may also increase the risk of osteoporosis. Having family members with osteoporosis can raise your risk for the condition as well. Since your bones are rebuilding themselves all the time, you can help push the balance toward more bone growth by giving them exercise, calcium, and vitamin D.
Several medications can also help fight bone loss. The most widely used are bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates have been tested more thoroughly in women, but are approved for men too. Researchers are trying to develop drugs that increase bone growth.
Another important way to avoid broken bones is to prevent falling and occasions for fracture in the first place. The kind of fall matters, too.
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