Besides age and gender, there are several characteristics that increase a senior's risk of hip fracture. A family history of fractures later in life, particularly in Asians and Caucasians, is a leading risk factor. Additionally, people who smoke, drink alcohol excessively, have a low-calcium diet, suffer from arthritis or poor eyesight, are all included in the high risk population. People with osteoporosis, which means porous or weakened bones, are at the highest risk of suffering fractures of all kinds. Osteoporosis affects more than 1.5 million Americans.
Most people are unaware they have the disease until they suffer a fracture.
Although the exact cause of osteoporosis is unknown, factors such as aging, physical inactivity, heredity and reduced levels of estrogen are known to contribute to decreased bone density. Your family doctor or internist and orthopedic surgeon can help determine if you are at risk of having osteoporosis and can take several steps to reduce the effect of this disease. There are several recommended steps that you can take to decrease the likelihood of suffering a hip fracture. Here are a few that should be followed by everyone, but more importantly, those in high risk categories. Be sure your diet contains the necessary amounts of calcium and Vitamin D at all stages of your life.