Risk Factors

Risk factors can be divided under three separate headings:

1. Risk factors that cannot be changed
2. Risk factors your doctor can help you with
3. Risk factors that can be changed

Risk factors that cannot be changed:

• Small build
• Caucasian or Asian ethnic background
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Age
• Previous minimally traumatic fracture

Risk factors your doctor can help you with:

• Interruption to the menstrual cycle (due to dieting or excessive exercise)
• Menopause (surgical or natural)
• Long term use of corticosteroids
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic liver and kidney disease
• Hyperparathyroidism or thyroxine excess
• Malabsorptive disorders
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
• Patients who have received organ transplants

Risk factors that can be changed:

• Low calcium intake
• Insufficient exercise
• Smoking
• Vitamin D deficiency
• High alcohol intake