Oak Valley Health’s patient education pages share the skills, knowledge, and habits patients and families need to know to cope with a daily health issue. We hope this information can influence patient behaviour to improve health outcomes and provide you with a sense of control and autonomy.
Learn more about the risks, causes, and treatment of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is characterized by bone thinning and loss of bone density. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more likely to break (fracture). Osteoporosis can weaken your bones to the point where they can fracture even after a minor fall. Osteoporosis is most likely to fracture bones in the hip, wrist, and spine.
The exact cause is unknown in most situations, however there are some identifiable causes that your healthcare provider can help assess including certain medications and metabolic conditions.
A family history of osteoarthritis
Poor nutrition
Use of steroid medicines (such as prednisone)
Female gender
Age 50 or older
Smoking
Lack of physical activity
Caucasian or Asian ethnicity
Small body frame
Your family physician should do a bone density test that can help identify osteoporosis if you are over the age of 65 (they may test at a younger age if you have certain risk factors)
Another potential sign of osteoporosis is loss of height (>2cm)
Making lifestyle changes (e.g. healthy diet, regular physical activity)
Taking medication to slow the deterioration of bones or increase bone density if medically indicated
Taking daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D
Taking hormone replacement medicines if medically indicated
You have never had an osteoporosis screening and you are:
