Family History.
If your mother or grandmother suffered from osteoporosis,
then you are more likely to be at an increased risk
of developing the disease. How do you find out if
you have osteoporosis in your family? First, your
relative may have been diagnosed with osteoporosis
by a doctor. Because osteoporosis may be present
for many years without any obvious signs or symptoms,
you may have relatives who have the disease but
who are unaware of it. Alternatively, you may have
a relative who has characteristic signs of osteoporosis,
such as broken bones following minor trauma, a hunched
back, or height loss.
Medical History.
Some medical problems, for example, an overactive
thyroid gland, liver disease, or anorexia nervosa,
can cause osteoporosis. In addition, certain medications,
such as steroids, when used for a long time can
have a detrimental effect on bones. Steroids often
are used in the long-term treatment of asthma
and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. If you
have been taking steroids, you should discuss
this with your doctor.
Previous Fracture.
A previous broken bone, particularly of the hip,
wrist, or spine, that has resulted from minor
trauma may be an indication that your bones are
already weak. If this is the case, the likelihood
of breaking additional bones, or possibly the
same bone, could be increased. Your doctor will
advise you on how to try to lower your chances
of having more fractures.
Low Body Weight.
Women who are unusually slender may be at increased
risk of osteoporosis. This is because their skeleton
is small to begin with. Once the bones start to
thin and weaken after the menopause, they will
reach a stage at which they fracture more easily
than the bones in women who have a normal build.
What If You Already
Have Osteoporosis?
You should discuss with your doctor what medical
treatments are available. It may be possible to
prevent any further weakening of your bones. All
the measures that you can take to prevent osteoporosis
will also help to slow the progression of the
disease. There are hormonal and non-hormonal therapies
available. An example of non-hormonal medication
to treat osteoporosis is alendronate sodium. Worldwide
clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness
of oral, non-hormonal alendronate sodium in reducing
the risk of painful spine and hip fractures and,
importantly, building stronger bone to resist
the effects of this debilitating disease. As with
any medications, different patients will experience
different benefits or untoward effects. Consult
your doctor to help select the most appropriate
treatment for you.
If you suspect
that you are at risk of developing osteoporosis,
you should discuss your concern with your doctor.
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