Are men are at risk for osteoporosis? Listed below are the risk factors for osteoporosis – in both men and women – and what we can do to prevent this “silent disease.”

Aging, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of calcium in your diet, not getting enough physical activity and certain medications (such as steroids) can increase your risk for osteoporosis. But there are several other lifestyle factors that come into play:

• Weight-loss surgery or gastrectomy. Some studies suggest that these procedures can make it more challenging for your body to absorb crucial vitamin D and calcium.
• Certain illnesses, including kidney disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can make you more prone to brittle bones.
• Specific medications, such as the contraceptive Depo-Provera and antidepressants might be linked to bone loss.
• Chemotherapy can inadvertently harm bone cells while it destroys cancer cells.

If you have any of these risk factors in your life, talk with your physician about ways to increase bone strength and prevent fractures – he or she might prescribe osteoporosis medication and/or recommend diet and exercise modifications.

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