REDUCING THE RISK OF OSTEOPOROSIS

Many factors can affect your chances of developing osteoporosis. The good news is that you control some of them. Even though you can't change your genes, you can still lower your risk with attention to certain lifestyle changes that will help build and maintain bone mass. The younger you start, and the longer you keep it up, the better. If you are taking Fosamax to treat osteoporosis, you may be at risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw, a painful disease that can cause jaw death.

Here's what you can do for yourself:

• Be sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D.
• Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking.
• Don't smoke.
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

A sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive drinking, and low calcium intake all increase risk. Other factors are beyond your control. Being aware of them can provide extra motivation and can help you and your doctor to make health care decisions. These risk factors are:

• being female - Women are at five times greater risk than men.
• thin, small-boned frame
• broken bones or stooped posture in older family members, especially women, which suggest a family history of osteoporosis
• early estrogen deficiency in women who experience menopause before age 45, either naturally or resulting from surgical removal of the ovaries
• estrogen deficiency due to abnormal absence of menstruation (as may accompany eating disorders)
• ethnic heritage - White and Asian women are at highest risk; African-American and Hispanic women are at lower, but significant, risk.
• advanced age
• prolonged use of some medications - These medications include some antiseizure medications, glucocorticoids (certain anti-inflammatory medications, such as prednisone, used to treat asthma, arthritis and some cancers), certain cancer treatments, some treatments for endometriosis, excessive use of aluminum-containing antacids, and excessive thyroid hormone. It is important to discuss the use of these drugs with your physician, and not to stop or alter your medication dose on your own.
• growth hormone deficiency in children and youth.

Risk factors may not tell the whole story. You may have none of these factors and still have osteoporosis. Or you may have many of them and not develop the condition. It's best to discuss your specific situation with your doctor.

Source
FDA Office of Public Affairs