Bone Health: 4 Things You Should Know about Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a medical condition that causes bone loss and puts people more at risk for suffering fractures. There are a few key points that you should know about osteoporosis so that you’ll have a better chance of getting a correct diagnosis and treatment if you suspect that you have the condition. Here are four important things to know about osteoporosis.

Prevention Should Start Early

Osteoporosis normally affects people over the age of 50, and there are steps that you can take to possibly prevent the condition if you’re still young. Getting plenty of calcium by either taking supplements or consuming enough milk, cheese, or other dairy products can help keep bones strong and prevent bone loss. Another easy way to combat osteoporosis from an early age is to get enough sunlight so that your body absorbs adequate amounts of vitamin D. Exercising regularly can also strengthen bones.

Young People Can Also Get It

Even though taking preventative measures early in life can combat the condition, osteoporosis can still sometimes affect younger people. As WebMD states, young women are especially at risk for developing osteoporosis if they miss their menstrual periods because of excessive exercise, eating disorders, or other factors that contribute to having very low body fat. If diagnosed with osteoporosis at an earlier age, working closely with a doctor and following the recommended treatment plan can help young bones stay stronger and make them less prone to fractures.

Some Medications May Cause Osteoporosis

Certain medications that you might take could be contributing to bone loss. Steroids and corticosteroids that are taken regularly for three months or longer can increase osteoporosis risk. If you take antacids that contain aluminum, you may also be more susceptible to developing the condition. Tetracycline and other antibiotics that are known to cause bone loss with long-term use should also be taken with caution. Other known drug culprits include lithium, warfarin, and diuretics.

Osteoporosis Also Impacts Dental Health

Since teeth are made of bone, your dental health can suffer because of osteoporosis. Having the condition often causes teeth to crack and fall out more easily. Osteoporosis is also known to affect the jaw bone and put you at further risk for tooth loss. If you’ve lost any teeth because of osteoporosis, implant dentistry services offer a great way to restore your smile and make talking and eating easy again.

Knowing the important facts about osteoporosis will allow you to take proactive measures to keep your bones better intact. Getting the proper medical treatments if you have the condition will help prevent some of the problems that are experienced in more advanced cases of osteoporosis.