Complete our Bone Health Checkup to learn about your chance of getting osteoporosis, a disease that causes the bones to become weak and more likely to break.
The more times you answer “yes,” the greater your risk of getting osteoporosis. Take this information with you to your next medical appointment and talk to your healthcare provider about what you can do to protect your bones. The questions are listed below and the checklist can also be downloaded and printed here.
Is your calcium intake low? (e.g., Do you eat less than three servings of dairy products or calcium-fortified foods per day without taking a calcium supplement?)
Is your vitamin D intake low? (e.g., Do you eat few, if any, sources of vitamin D like milk and fish, without taking a vitamin D supplement?)
Do you perform less than 2.5 hours of weight-bearing or endurance exercise per week? (e.g., brisk walking, taking aerobics classes, playing tennis, dancing and hiking)
Do you perform muscle-strengthening or resistance exercise less than twice a week? (e.g., lifting weights or gardening)
Do you smoke cigarettes?
Do you consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day?
Are you age 50 or older?
Are you a postmenopausal woman?
If yes, did you go through menopause before age 45?
Did either of your parents have osteoporosis?
Are you small and thin?
Have you broken a bone after the age of 50?
Have you lost an inch or more in height?
Is your spine curving forward?
Have you ever taken medicines* that can lead to osteoporosis, such as:
Aluminum-containing antacids
Antiseizure medicines such as Dilantin® or phenobarbital
Cancer chemotherapeutic medicines
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera®)
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) such as Nexium®, Prevacid® and Prilosec®
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Lexapro®, Prozac® and Zoloft®
Steroids (glucocorticoids) such as cortisone and prednisone (≥5 mg for ≥3 months)
Thyroid hormones (in excess)
Have you ever been diagnosed with a medical condition* that can lead to osteoporosis, such as:
Breast cancer
Diabetes
Eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa)
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Lupus
Malabsorption syndromes (e.g., celiac disease)
Prostate cancer
Rheumatoid arthritis
*These are some of the medicines and medical conditions that can cause osteoporosis. For a more complete list, visit www.nof.org.
Start Protecting Your Bones Today
After you’ve completed the Bone Health Checkup, start protecting your bones today by following these steps:
1. Get the calcium and vitamin D you need every day.
2. Do regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises.
3. Don’t smoke and don’t drink too much alcohol.
4. Talk to your healthcare provider about your chance of getting osteoporosis, and ask when you should have a bone density test.