Age. The older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis. Your bones become weaker and less dense as you age.

Gender. Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are a woman. Women have less bone tissue and lose bone more rapidly than men because of the changes involved in menopause.

Family History and Personal History of Fractures as an Adult. Susceptibility to fracture may be, in part, hereditary. Young women whose mothers have a history of vertebral fractures also seem to have reduced bone mass. A personal history of a fracture as an adult also increases your fracture risk.

Race. Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to develop osteoporosis. However, African American and Hispanic women are at significant risk for developing the disease.

Bone Structure and Body Weight. Small-boned and thin women (under 127 pounds) are at greater risk.

Menopause/Menstrual History. Normal or early menopause (brought about naturally or because of surgery) increases your risk of developing osteoporosis. In addition, women who stop menstruating before menopause because of conditions such as anorexia or bulimia, or because of excessive physical exercise, may also lose bone tissue and develop osteoporosis.

Lifestyle. Current cigarette smoking, drinking too much alcohol, consuming an inadequate amount of calcium or getting little or no weight-bearing exercise, increases your chances of developing osteoporosis.

Medications/Chronic Diseases. A significant and often overlooked risk factor in the development of osteoporosis is the use of certain medications to treat chronic medical conditions. Medications to treat disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, endocrine disorders (i.e. an under-active thyroid), seizure disorders and gastrointestinal diseases may have side effects that can damage bone and lead to osteoporosis.

One class of drugs that has particularly damaging effects on the skeleton is glucocorticoids. The following drugs also can cause bone loss:

• excessive thyroid hormones

• anticonvulsants

• antacids containing aluminum

• gonadotropin releasing hormones (GnRH) used for treatment of endometriosis

• methotrexate for cancer treatment

• cyclosporine A, an immunosuppressive drug

• heparin and

• cholestyramine, taken to control blood cholesterol levels.

For many people, these are life-saving or life-enhancing drugs, and their use may be the only way to achieve a better quality of life. That's why it is important to discuss the use of these medications with your physician and not stop or alter your medication dose on your own.

It is important to take action now to find out your risk for developing osteoporosis. Your doctor can help you determine whether you should have a BMD test. Your doctor may order a BMD test for:

• all postmenopausal women under age 65 who have one or more additional risk factors for osteoporosis (in addition to being postmenopausal and female)

• all women age 65 and older regardless of additional risk factors

• postmenopausal women who present with fractures (to confirm diagnosis and determine disease severity).

• women who are considering therapy for osteoporosis if BMD testing would facilitate the decision

 Courtesy: NOF