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What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis literally means 'porous bones'. Porous bones are also brittle
bones which can break even after minor trauma. Sites commonly affected are the
lower forearm near the wrist, the spine and the hip.
Osteoporosis is a common problem
which is likely to increase in the years to come because of a rapidly aging
population. The population in Singapore
is going to become more aged in the next twenty years and osteoporosis will
become an even more significant problem in future.
Risk
factors of Osteoporosis
Risk factors include old age, being
females, having reached the menopause, having ovaries surgically removed,
having both ovaries surgically removed, having a small build, taking too
little calcium in the diet, being sedentary, on long term steroid
medications, drinking excessive alcohol and smoking.
All men and women could be at risk.
Some are at higher risk than others. The risk factors include:
- A
previous non-violent fracture
- Early
menopause before age 45, whether natural or through surgery
- A
member of your immediate family who has osteoporosis
- Being
underweight or undernourished
- Being
frail due to long-term illness
- Smoking
- Drinking
too much alcohol
- Not
exercising much or not being able to move for a long period of time
- A
diet that does not have enough calcium or vitamin D
- Certain
illnesses e.g. rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain
medicine e.g. corticosteroids, thyroid medication
If you are a
post-menopausal women, click on this osteoporosis
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