Preventing Osteoporosis: 9 Questions and Answers
In this article
- 1. How can I prevent osteoporosis before it starts?
- 2. Am I getting enough calcium -- and how much is too much?
- 3. Is calcium from dairy products better than from other sources?
- 4. Does osteoporosis affect children -- and should I give them calcium supplements?
- 5. Am I likely to develop vitamin D deficiency in winter -- and why is vitamin D essential for calcium absorption?
- 6. Can genetics predispose me to low bone density and osteoporosis?
- 7. Why would I have low bone density if I haven't gone through menopause?
- 8. What is a bone density test and what do the scores mean?
- 9. Should men worry about osteoporosis -- and what are the signs of it in men?
6. Can genetics predispose me to low bone density and osteoporosis?
Your genes can play a big role in your risk of developing osteoporosis. For instance, studies show that if your parents had a history of bone fractures, you're more likely to have weaker bones and a higher risk of fractures yourself.
Your risk of getting osteoporosis is also higher if other family members, like aunts or siblings, had it too. A genetic risk for osteoporosis can be inherited from either your mother or father.
If osteoporosis does run in your family, talk to your health care provider. You may need to take extra steps to prevent it.
7. Why would I have low bone density if I haven't gone through menopause?
Although the drop in estrogen levels during menopause can result in dramatically thinning of bone and increases your risk of osteoporosis, it isn't the sole cause of the disease. Many other factors -- like your genes, some diseases and treatments, eating disorders, excessive exercising and weight loss , smoking, excess alcohol, and deficiencies of calcium and vitamin D -- can play an important role. Remember that men can get osteoporosis too, even though they don't go through menopause.
8. What is a bone density test and what do the scores mean?
A bone mineral density test is the typical way of diagnosing osteoporosis and helps to predicting your risk of fractures. It's a kind of X-ray that reveals the hardness of your bones. The most common type is called a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA). Usually, the scans look at the weight-bearing ability of your hip and spine, this information is then used to help estimate your risk of fractures. Your doctor will calculate your risk of future fractures with a tool known as a FRAX score and determine whether you would benefit from treatments .
A normal bone density is a T-score of plus one (+1) to a score of a minus one (-1). A low bone mass (osteopenia) is a bone density T-score of -1 to -2.5. Osteoporosis is defined as a bone density score of -2.5 or below.