RISK FACTORS for OSTEOPOROSIS

******* Keep track of your score – 1 point for each yes answer
 

• Fair skinned Caucasian or Oriental
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Slight bone structure
• Cigarette – long term- including second-hand smoking from one or more smokers in the house
• Greater than 4 alcoholic drinks per day – long term
• Poor, malnourishing diet, low in minerals, sodas
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Cancer, chemotherapy - breast cancer with aromatase inhibitors (Arimidex, Aromasin, Femara, Falsodex)
• Steroid therapy longer than 2 months – prednisone
• Hyperthyroidism or any endocrine disease
• Early menopause prior to age 40, (oophrectomy)
• Never giving birth to a child
• Limited sun exposure – office work
• Any type of chronic health condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or intestinal disease that interferes with nutrient absorption such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

******           WHAT IS YOUR SCORE?     *******

0-2 marks – forget about osteoporosis – routine supplements                                  
3-4 marks – lifestyle changes, diet, vitamin and mineral supplements, exercise
5-7 marks – all of above plus medications – BMD testing
8 or more – The help of an expert in the field of osteoporosis, BMD