Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density or bone mass, meaning your body doesn’t make as much new bone as it needs to to keep up with bone loss. While losing some bone density is a normal part of aging, and everyone who ages will experience some bone loss, people with osteoporosis have thinner, more brittle bones and, as a result, are more likely to experience broken bones, like hip fractures and other issues.
The symptoms of osteoporosis aren’t obvious. You may not realize you have it until you break a bone or it’s discovered through bone density tests. How common is osteoporosis, and is there any way to decrease your risk of developing it?
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Generally speaking, osteoporosis is caused by decreased bone density, leading to weak or brittle bones that are more likely to break. While a lack of dietary calcium increases the odds of developing osteoporosis, additional factors increase your risk level.
What Are the Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
Anyone can develop osteoporosis. However, some factors make the risk of osteoporosis more likely. While some factors are in your control, not all are.
Risk factors you can’t control that make it more likely you’ll develop osteoporosis are:
- Gender: Women are more likely to lose bone mineral density, particularly postmenopausal women
- Age: Being over 50
- Bone size: Having naturally thin bones
- Race: White and Asian women are at an increased risk
- Family history: Having a family member with the condition
- Hormones: Low levels of estrogen and testosterone make it harder to keep bones healthy
- Long-term use of medications: Some cancer medications, proton pump inhibitors, and some asthma and arthritis medications increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Medical conditions: Endocrine diseases, cancer, or rheumatoid arthritis also increase your risk.
Some of the risk factors you may be able to control are:
- Being sedentary: Low level of physical activity encourages bone loss and reduces your flexibility. Moving and engaging in weight-bearing exercise can increase bone strength and help grow healthy bone tissue.
- Chronic or heavy drinking: Alcohol use can interrupt your body’s ability to create new bones.
- Smoking: Smoking also inhibits bone formation, though researchers aren’t sure what the connection is.
- Diet: Not getting enough calcium or vitamin D makes it harder to maintain normal bone mass.
Osteoporosis Is More Common in Women Than Men
Between 2017 and 2018, the CDC examined osteoporosis in the population and found that women were more likely than men to have osteoporosis. Specifically, 13.1% of women between the ages of 50 and 64 already had osteoporosis, and 27.1% of women over 65 had it. Only 3.3% of men in the 50 to 64 age group had osteoporosis, with a slight increase to 5.7% for men over the age of 65.
Why Is Osteoporosis More Common in Women?
As a rule, women are more likely than men to develop osteoporosis for several reasons.
First, women have a lower peak bone mass. Peak bone mass is the amount of bone mass your skeleton has when you’re finished maturing (usually by the end of your twenties). Without getting into all of the science, women have less peak bone mass due to the amount of estrogen they have and its impact on building and maintaining bone mineral density. But, as a result, women have smaller bones, which increases the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Second, women who become pregnant or nursing experience a decreased intake of calcium and vitamin D. Those critical minerals are diverted to the developing fetus and breastfeeding, which can impact the mother’s bone health.
Third, as women approach menopause, their estrogen levels drop. Again, without getting into the details, lower estrogen levels increase how often and how well your body loses and creates new bone, which can result in a 4% loss of bone density per year for as long as 10 years.
Finally, women generally live longer than men, and each year they’re alive, they can lose 2% to 3% of their bone mass.
Osteoporosis Is More Common in Some Groups
Among women, osteoporosis is more common in some groups than others:
| Ethnic Group | Over Age 50 Estimated to Have Osteoporosis | Over Age 50 Estimated to Have Low Bone Mass | Lactose Intolerant (Harder to Get Enough Calcium Through Diet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| African American | 5% | 45% | 70% |
| Asian | 20% | 35% | 90% |
| Caucasian | 20% | 50% | 15% |
| Latina | 10% | 50% | 50% |
Can a Chiropractor Help if I Have Osteoporosis?
Many people who have low bone mass or have osteoporosis experience pain and discomfort. They may have a slumped or slouched posture and a decreased range of motion. While chiropractic can’t cure osteoporosis, it can help you manage the symptoms and improve how you feel with a combination of gentle spinal manipulation, therapeutic massage, and lifestyle guidance and advice.
If you’re at risk of osteoporosis, have low bone density, or experience pain due to osteoporosis, the team at Flourish Chiropractic Spa can help you find relief. Our experienced chiropractors and massage therapists will create a treatment plan that addresses your concerns and helps you live a healthier life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
