Caucasian women that are 50 and older have a 20% chance of developing the disease. Most women have low bone mass, but they have not been diagnosed with osteoporosis yet. Another interesting fact is that as you age you will lose about 1/3 of the bone density in your hip.
In African Americans, there is only a 5% chance of developing osteoporosis. There is about 35% that have low bone mass, but they have not been diagnosed with the disease. An interesting fact is that many African Americans do not get enough vitamin D and that makes it difficult for the body absorb calcium.
Estrogen levels drop during menopause and that can lead to bone loss. If you have greater bone density before you reach menopause then the less likely you develop osteoporosis. After menopause, a person can lose 20% of her bone density. There is a type of medication that is estrogen to help with menopause and that can lower your chances of losing bone density, but it has serious side effects that make you not want to take the medication.
Breastfeeding and pregnancy could possibly lower a person's bone mass, but this is can just be temporary. It has been shown that the bones will recover over time. It is important to make sure that you get enough calcium and vitamin D while they are breastfeeding and while they are pregnant.
What YOU CAN DO NOW to try and prevent this disease from happening to you is:
Reference
National Osteoporosis Foundation. 2016. National osteoporosis foundation. Retrieved from https://www.nof.org/prevention/general-facts/what-women-need-to-know/
You had some very interesting facts. because I didn't know how osteoporosis look it helped that you put a picture up in your blog. is this bone disease related to sickle cell? if so how are they different and how are they the same? I wonder why do it happen mostly Caucasian women?
ReplyDeleteI really liked that you included some pictures in your blog, it really caught my eye. I am just confused as to why it only happens to mostly Caucasian women? I didn't know that pregnancy and breastfeeding may lower a person's bone density.
ReplyDeleteThe overall look of this blog is cute! I like the font you used and the picture you added. Bone health is so important and something I NEVER think about! Thanks for giving us information especially about women. I had no idea there was such a difference between Caucasian and African American women! Anxious to see what other topics you choose for the next post.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy how this blog is strictly about women and Osteoporosis. I do not know much Osteoporosis or that there would be such a difference among different age groups/ethnicities. I also didn't know pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause lower bone mass either. Very interesting read and I love the font and pictures!
ReplyDeleteOsteoporosis is a very interesting topic and it's crazy how Caucasian women are the ones who get it the most. I don't know much about Osteoporosis, but I did enjoy reading your blog and the facts that you provided. I also loved that you provided pictures as well, that's awesome. For me, visuals are always very helpful. I also enjoy the overall look of your blog as well. I noticed in your blog that you said the most women have low bone mass, but have not been diagnosed with the disease yet; so how long does it usually take for a physician to notice that their patient is dealing with Osteoporosis? Overall, awesome post!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that breastfeeding could lower bone mass, I feel like that is something that all women expecting children should know. I wonder why that is? It's helpful to know now that you need to make sure you keep up your calcium and vitamin D while breastfeeding, I'll be more conscious of that when I have kids.
ReplyDeleteGreat post with lots of information I didn't know. Most women don't know that breast feeding lowers their bone mass. I wonder if mothers who have previously breastfed knew this if they still would have breastfed their child. I like how you stated who are most likely to get this disease.
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