Topic: OsteoporosisOsteoporosis sufferers
Osteoporosis occurs most often in older people and in women after menopause. It affects nearly half of all
those, men and women, over the age of 75. Women, however, are five times more likely than men to develop
the disease.
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Osteoporosis : Causes and symptoms
A number of factors increase the risk of developing osteoporosis.
They include:
- Age. Osteoporosis is more likely as people grow older and their bones lose tissue.
- Gender. Women are more likely to have osteoporosis because they are smaller and so start out with less
bone. They also lose bone tissue more rapidly as they age. While women commonly lose 30-50% of their
bone mass over their lifetimes, men lose only 20-33% of theirs.
- Race. Caucasian and Asian women are most at risk for the disease, but African American and Hispanic
women can get it too.
- Early menopause. Women who stop menstruating early because of heredity, surgery or lots of physical
exercise may lose large amounts of bone tissue early in life. Conditions such as anorexia and bulimia
may also lead to early menopause and osteoporosis.
- Lifestyle. People who smoke or drink too much, or don't get enough exercise have an increased chance
of getting osteoporosis.
- Diet. Those who don't get enough calcium
or
protein may be more likely to have osteoporosis.
That's why people who constantly diet are more prone to the disease.
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