Osteoporosis Causes and Risk Factors

The risk of developing osteoporosis can be increased by a number of factors, including some of the following:

•    Aging
•    Being female
•    Belonging to Asian or Caucasian race
•    Having small or thin body frame
•    Family history of osteoporosis
•    Smoking cigarettes
•    Consumption of alcohol in excess
•    Lack of exercise
•    Low amounts of calcium in diet
•    Poor general health
•    Poor nutrition
•    Malabsorption of nutrients by the gastrointestinal system
•    Low levels of estrogen in women
•    Low levels of testosterone in men
•    Chemotherapy
•    Amenorrhea
•    Chronic inflammation, due to factors like liver diseases or rheumatoid arthritis
•    Immobility
•    Hyperthyroidism
•    Hyperparathyroidism
•    Deficiency of Vitamin D
•    Prolonged use of certain medication like heparin, phenytoin, etc.