Osteoporosis And The Aging Population - 1923 Words

Osteoporosis is a large threat to the aging population. When looking at people over the age of 50 years old one in three women and one in five men are diagnosed with osteoporosis (Fisher 2011, p. 136). It used to be believed that osteoporosis was a condition that post-menopausal woman had but now we know that it is also in pre-menopausal women and men (Dave, 2013, p. 373). When someone has osteoporosis the bone mass is reduced and they have an increased risk for fractures and broken bones. Some risk factors associated with osteoporosis are age, history of trauma/fracture, low intake of calcium and vitamin D, backache, and low physical activity. It is a disease where the bone loses density. The bones need more calcium and mineral to keep†¦show more content†¦There are multiple ways in which someone cannot attain peak bone density as they grow older, some you can help prevent while others you cannot. One factor of not attaining peak bone density is due to genetic factors, so o ne might genetically have a lower bone density. Another factor affecting peak bone density is inadequate nutrition. Proper nutrition is especially important while one is growing and developing, but not enough calcium and protein can prevent one from attaining peak bone density (Gambacciani Levancini, 2014, p. 215). Also it is important that people get enough physical activity throughout the life span to help develop the right level of bone density. Also certain diseases such as Cushing’s disease or drugs like corticosteroids during growth can also hinder ones bone density attainment (Gambacciani Levancini, 2014, p. 215). Another factor that causes osteoporosis is accelerated bone loss for women after menopause (Gambacciani Levancini, 2014, p. 215). When an individual doesn’t attain peak bone density or has accelerated bone loss their bones are weaker and are at an increased risk for fractures or broken bones. This most commonly results in being diagnosed with osteop orosis. Risk Factors There are many risk factors for osteoporosis, some of which people have control over and others they can’t do anything about it. For instance risk factors such as tobacco use and sedentary life styles