What makes women more susceptible to osteoporosis — Osteoporosis is a silent disease that weakens bones, increasing the risk of unforeseen fractures. There typically are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss, that is why osteoporosis called silent disease.
Once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you might have signs and symptoms that includes back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra, loss of height over time and develop a stooped posture. A broken bone can cause severe pain and disability. It can make it harder to do daily tasks on your own, such as walking.
Although it is not fair, it is a fact that women are automatically at greater risk for osteoporosis than men. The reason why women are more prone to suffering from osteoporosis than men, are:
- Women usually have smaller, thinner, less dense bones than men
- Women also lose more bone mass after menopause with rapid decrease of hormone oestrogen. Higher oestrogen levels before menopause helps protect bone density
- Women often live longer than men. Bone loss happens naturally as we age
The good news?
Osteoporosis isn’t an inevitable part of the aging process; it can be prevented earlier. Building strong bones during childhood and the teen years is important to help prevent osteoporosis later. However, you can take simple steps to slow the natural bone loss due to aging, and prevent weak and brittle bone earlier:
- Take enough calcium and vitamin D each day.
- Becoming active in physical activities like running or dancing to build and strengthen your bones.
- Avoid smoke and alcohol
- Don’t smoke. Smoking raises your risk for broken bones.
- Undergo health check-up related to bone density
For further information, consult your osteo problem with our phsycian at BIMC Hospital Nusa Dua via email: admin.nd@bimcbali.com.
