Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones become thin, brittle, weak, and more likely to break. A combination of things, not all of which you can control, can increase your chances of getting osteoporosis. These include:

• being female
• a small body frame
• being thin
• a family history of the disease
• postmenopausal or advanced age
• abnormal absence of menstrual periods
• eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia)
• a diet low in calcium and vitamin D
• inactive lifestyle
• current cigarette smoking
• long-term use of glucocorticoids (medicines for many diseases like arthritis, asthma, and lupus)

While all women are at risk for getting osteoporosis, Asian American women have a higher risk because of their lower bone mass and density and smaller body frames. They also have a lower intake of calcium compared to other groups of women. As many as 90% of Asian Americans are lactose intolerant or cannot easily digest dairy products. Making sure to get enough calcium and exercise in the teen years and beyond can help prevent osteoporosis later in life. Your health care provider can find out if you have osteoporosis by giving you a bone mineral density test, which takes pictures like x-rays of the skeleton. If you are getting osteoporosis, you can prevent future bone fractures by having a calcium-rich diet, daily exercise, and drug therapy. Talk with your health care provider about what is best for you.