Do You Know the Warning Signs of Thinning Bones?
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One of the most common problems associated with the aging process is osteoporosis. More than half of adults over the age of 50 will probably have to deal with this disease. If you are anxious about the possibility of osteoporosis affecting you, then keeping a steady eye on your bone health is a great preventative measure. This is because thinning bones are the precursor to osteoporosis, and if you know the warning signs now, you can possibly ward off the perils of weakened bones and multiple fractures later on in life. Here’s a quick peek into several warning signs that may alert you to thinning bones:
If you have sustained more than one fracture in the past couple of years, especially when associated with a seemingly negligible accident, this might be a sign that your bones are weak. If your bones are not strong enough to endure a minimal impact, they could be alerting you to potential problems in density.
If you are naturally thin or have a small frame, you have less bone to lose. Those with smaller frames are more likely to develop osteoporosis at a younger age than their larger-boned counterparts.
If you are currently taking prednisone or certain corticosteroids in response to an autoimmune disease, this can interfere with your hormone activity by draining calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients from your bones. Studies have shown that those who have Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus present with osteoporosis at an exceedingly higher rate than the average person because of the presence of and effects from the medicines used to treat their conditions.
Are you in the habit of lighting up? You may want to consider kicking the habit. While studies remain unclear as to exactly how smoking wreaks havoc on your bones, statistics show a very high correlation between this habit and osteoporosis.
Alcohol is another nasty culprit. If you drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day, you are subjecting your bones to the devastating effects that the alcohol will have on them as it leaches calcium, magnesium, and other important minerals from them.
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We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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