Osteoporosis: Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Treatment
Osteoporosis weakens bones and can lead to pain, fracture, and a decline in overall health. The number of people who will be affected by osteoporosis in their lifetimes may be surprising to you. But these numbers seem even higher when you consider that osteoporosis can be detected early, it can be treated, and in many cases it can be prevented — avoiding the risk of weakened bones and debilitation.
Osteoporosis Defined:
- Devastating – crippling and even life-threatening
- Prevalent – you or a loved one may be at risk – 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over 50 are!
Osteoporosis Prevention
Many people are not aware of the importance of osteoporosis screening and preventive measures that can be taken.
Osteoporosis Risk Factors
Check your risk factors below, and talk with your doctor about screening methods:
- Age - especially those over 65
- Race - especially those of Asian or Northern European descent
- Body type - those with low BMI
- Lifestyle factors including:
- Exercise - either those who have under/over exercised in their lives
- Diet - insufficient calcium intake
- Vitamin D deficient due to lack of sun exposure or other factors
- Certain drugs or alcohol exposure
- History of smoking
To learn more about your risk of osteoporosis, take this one-minute test.
If you would like to learn more about osteoporosis screening and other health screening resources available at UCSF Imaging, please join our email list.
UCSF advantages
UCSF researchers and physicians are among the world’s leaders in bone health.
- UCSF pioneered the tools use to assess bone health
- Interdisciplinary teams
- Most comprehensive treatment plan to prevent further bone loss or injury
