Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by the gradual loss of bone mass, which weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to fractures. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 10 million individuals have osteoporosis. Women are four times more likely to be affected by osteoporosis than men. While osteoporosis can occur at any age, your risk increases significantly with age. Risk factors for developing osteoporosis include the following.

• Factors you cannot influence
• Age : loss of bone mass increases with age
• Ethnicity : Caucasian and Asian women are at greatest risk.
• Gender : women affected more than men
• Body Size : small, thin-boned women are at greater risk

• Factors you can influence
• Lifestyle : Inactivity, little physical exercise and prolonged bed rest increases risk.
• Hormone levels : absence of menstrual periods or menopause for women and low testosterone for men.
• Calcium and Vitamin D intake : a low level in your diet increases your risk.
• Medication use : Long-term use of certain medications, such as glucocorticoids, is associated with increased risk.
• Cigarette and alcohol consumption : Smoking and excessive alcohol intake are associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is both treatable and preventable. Treatment consists of a combination of medication, getting proper nutrition through diet and supplements, and exercise. Methods of prevention include exercise, maintaining a diet with recommended intake of calcium and vitamin D and decreasing risk factors such as excessive alcohol intake and smoking.

Exercise is important in maintaining bone mass because bone is living tissue that is strengthened by exercise. The best type of exercise for maintaining bone mass is weight-bearing exercise such as walking, hiking, jogging, weight training, tennis, dancing, step aerobics and stair climbing. Thirty minutes of exercise is recommended daily. If you are not currently exercising daily and have cardiac disease, lung disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or are obese, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Even if you already have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, exercise is still important in preventing additional loss of bone mass. Discuss with your physician any types of exercise or specific motions you should avoid during exercise. High impact activities such as aerobics and jogging could increase your risk for falls and possible fractures.

Use these resources for more information on osteoporosis and exercise.

• National Osteoporosis Foundation 202.223.2226
• National Institutes on Health 1.800.624.BONE

To make an appointment with a doctor, call 1.877.UT.CARES (1.877.882.2737).