Osteoporosis is a debilitating condition in which bones become porous and thin. It affects women more often than men, because women have less bone tissue and lose bone more rapidly as they age. Osteoporosis is characterized by a tendency to break bones easily, especially in the hip, wrist and spinal column.

Risk factors for osteoporosis
There are many factors that can help predict your risk for developing osteoporosis, including:

• Age.
  The risk of osteoporosis increases with age, because you lose bone as a part of the natural aging process.
• Race
  Although all women are at risk for osteoporosis, Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to develop the condition than African-American and Hispanic women.
• Bone structure/body weight
  If you’re thin or small-boned, your risk is greater
• Menopause and menstrual history
  If you’ve experienced menopause, you’re at greater risk for osteoporosis – after menopause, production of the hormone estrogen decreases, which increases the rate of bone loss associated with aging. Women who stop menstruating before menopause because of excessive physical exercise or an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia are also at increased risk.
• Lifestyle
  Smoking, excessive alcohol use and lack of weight-bearing exercise can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.
• Nutrition
  Failing to consume enough calcium is associated with osteoporosis. If your body isn’t getting enough calcium from what you eat, it “steals” calcium directly from your bones. In order for your body to absorb calcium properly, it also needs adequate amounts of vitamin D.
• Medications and disease
  Osteoporosis has been linked to some medications that are taken over a long period of time, and it’s a known complication of medical conditions like endocrine disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and any condition that requires you to be immobilized for a long time. Ask your doctor if you’re concerned
• Family history
  Some women may inherit a susceptibility to the disease. If your mother or grandmother has or had osteoporosis, your risk may be greater.

• Nutrition
  Make sure you get enough calcium in your diet. The recommended daily allowance for women is 1,000 mg of calcium – for post-menopausal women who aren’t on estrogen replacement therapy, the requirement is 1,500 mg. An 8-ounce glass of whole or skim milk, 1 1/2 ounces of cheese and one cup of yogurt all contain 300 mg of calcium. Also, vitamin D is important because it helps the body use calcium. Vitamin D is available in fortified dairy products and in multivitamins – ask your doctor if you’re concerned you’re not getting enough.
• Exercise
  Weight-bearing exercise, or exercise that forces you to work against gravity, helps you build and maintain strong bones. Walking, jogging, racquet sports and aerobic dance are all good examples of weight-bearing exercise. Remember, the benefits of exercise last only as long as you keep it up.
• Estrogen replacement therapy
  Because estrogen is so important in maintaining bone, many physicians recommend estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for post-menopausal women. ERT isn’t completely risk-free, however – it has been associated with some forms of cancer. Talk with your doctor about ERT and how any potential risks can be minimized.
• Bone mass scans for post-menopausal women
  If you and your doctor think you might be at risk for osteoporosis, a bone mass scan is a good idea. The scan will provide valuable information about how strong your bones are before you develop serious problems. If your bones have weakened significantly, you can take steps to strengthen them so that you reduce your risk of osteoporosis.
• Drug therapy
  There are some drugs available that have been shown to help in the treatment of osteoporosis. A drug called calcitonin has been shown to slow bone loss and increase spinal bone density in women who are at least five years beyond menopause. Biphosphonates are drugs that slow the breakdown of bone and are proven to increase bone density and decrease the risk of hip and spine fractures.