Take care of your bones now

Many women worry about osteoporosis only after they reach menopause. But for some women, this might be too late.

Osteoporosis weakens bones and makes them more prone to breaking. Because the condition has no symptoms, you may not know you are at risk until you actually break a bone.

The bones most likely to be affected by osteoporosis are the hip, wrist, and spine. Damage to your spine can lead to sloping shoulders, back pain, and a protruding abdomen.

To prevent osteoporosis, women of all ages need to keep their bones strong by eating a balanced diet of foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as low-fat or skim milk, cheese, yogurt, green leafy vegetables, salmon, and almonds. Exercise is also helpful. Weight-bearing activities like walking, jogging, dancing, and lifting weights are very good for your bones.

A bone mineral density test can detect osteoporosis before a bone breaks. The test measures your bone density at various sites on your body and can be used over time to monitor bone loss. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, talk to your doctor about treatment. There are a number of FDA-approved medications for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis, which may be covered under your health insurance plan.

Risk factors for osteoporosis:

Low bone mass
Being female
Being thin and having a small frame
Low calcium intake over one’s lifetime
Vitamin D deficiency
Physical inactivity
Personal history of fractures after age 50
Family history of osteoporosis
Being female and having an estrogen deficiency as a result of menopause
Being male and having low testosterone levels
Anorexia nervosa
Using certain medications, such as corticosteroids and anticonvulsants (Ask your doctor about your medications and how they affect your bone density.)
Receiving chemotherapy
Being a smoker
Using alcohol in excess
Being Caucasian or Asian (However, African Americans and Hispanic Americans are also at significant risk.)