Member: As I’ve gotten older, my muscles aren’t quite what they used to be. But what about my bones? I’ve seen friends fracture bones from falling and I don’t want that to happen to me. —Joseph, Plymouth
Doctor: Thanks for your question, Joseph! As we get older, our bones begin to lose strength and thin. That is normal. But severe thinning is called osteoporosis. That increases the risk of fracture, which can open the door to other health complications. Falling is a major cause of fracturing a bone, but there are many other risks:
Lifestyle Risks
Lack of activity or exercise: Activities such as weight-training, walking, tennis, and other weight-bearing activities are crucial to helping prevent bone loss.
Poor diet: Lack of calcium and Vitamin D can contribute to weaker bones. Ensure you’re getting enough of each with foods such as milk, leafy green vegetables and fi sh, or use supplements to reach the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).
Smoking: There is a direct relationship between smoking cigarettes and decreased bone density. The best way to avoid this is to stop smoking altogether.
Alcohol: Regular alcohol consumption affects the body’s ability to absorb calcium and Vitamin D. Use alcohol in moderation.
Medications
Corticosteroids: Prescriptions including prednisone and cortisone can decrease activity of bone-building cells and increase the activity of cells that break down the bone.
Diabetes drugs: Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are sometimes managed with thiazolidinediones, or TZDs, which increase the body’s fat cells, including in bone marrow, which can reduce the number of bone-building cells.
Antacid medications: Proton Pump Inhibitors, or PPIs, can reduce bone density.
If you’re concerned about bone loss, be sure to talk to your doctor about your medications and potential alternatives.