4 Daily Habits That Can Lead to Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis does not appear overnight; it is often built by everyday habits. Dr. Amr Elyamany names four that you may be repeating without realising.
The four habits
- Staying up late: sleeping only three or four hours and waking up exhausted. Your body needs enough sleep to renew itself.
- Too much caffeine and soft drinks: excess caffeine and phosphorus in these drinks reduces the absorption of calcium.
- Little movement and long sitting: bone needs loading and movement to stay strong.
- Fast food and salt: ready meals are loaded with sodium, which drives calcium out of the body.
How to protect your bones
- Eat food rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as milk, cheese and eggs, and get some sun.
- Move every day, even 20 minutes of walking or simple exercise.
- Sleep enough hours, keep coffee and soft drinks moderate and cut down on salty processed food.
Key takeaway: The best gift you can give your bones is a daily routine of sleep, movement, calcium, vitamin D and less salt.
When to see a doctor
- A fracture after a minor fall
- Loss of height or a rounded upper back
- Being at risk (for example after menopause, or with a family history) and never having had a bone density scan
Need advice about your own case? Book a consultation with Dr. Amr Elyamany in Dubai.
This article is for general education and does not replace an in-person medical examination. If you have symptoms, please consult a qualified doctor.