Dealing with Osteoporosis and Its Effects

Most women suffer from osteoporosis after they hitBut as women mature from 20 to around 50 years
their menopausal stage.  Osteoporosis is a diseaseold, things change and the guidelines become more
characterized by bones becoming so thin and fragilecentered on moderation. Pacifici advised moderate
that they are more likely to break easily.  Withoutalcohol intake, or limiting to only two drinks a day
treatment, this condition may progress without anysince over three drinks a day would be considered
sign of pain until a bone breaks. Fractures usuallyexcessive. He believes the best way for women in
occurs in the hip, spine and wrist --- bone injuries thatthis age-group to keep their bones strong is to keep
require cast work, hospitalization, and even majortheir body weight within normal levels and make sure
surgery.  Osteoporosis is a disease that makes itthat they engage in regular exercise.
hard for a person to walk unassisted and may leadIt is at this stage that women need to start taking a
to permanent disability, or even death. Other seriouscalcium supplement. The National Osteoporosis
consequences include height loss, severe back pain,Foundation recommends that women under 50 get
and deformity.1,000 milligrams of calcium per day.  Calcium is
Women are more likely to develop the said conditionessential to get sufficient amounts of vitamin D.  It
than men.  The bone disease may start anytime,has been noted that lack of awareness about the
depending on the severity of calcium deficiency in theimportance of supplementation has caused many
bones.  During the prime bone-growing years of 12people to have vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is
to 20 years old, women should already be aware ofnecessary for our bodies to effectively absorb
what make their bodies and bones grow stronger orcalcium.
weaker.Most women will experience the onset of bone loss
According to Dr. Roberto Pacifici, chief ofat the age of 50, or about 3 years prior to
endocrinology at Emory University, genetics plays amenopause. The amount will depend on how well
major role in determining bone health.  He also citedthose bones were treated up to that point. Pacifici
the following variables as significant to having strongsays most women start experiencing bone loss about
bones during the prime age of 12 to 20 years old:three years prior to menopause --- which is the
* Normal Body Weightreason why many doctors recommend women to
* Normal Menstrual Periodsincrease their calcium intake to 1,500 milligrams daily.
* Normal Types of MedicationOsteoporosis is considered a silent disease with no
* Normal Physical Activityobvious symptoms until bones begin to fracture or
Pacifici emphasized the need for young women tobreak easily.  Doctors advise women to get a bone
make sure that their estrogen production levels aredensity screening test done by taking an X-ray of a
normal by having normal menstrual periods, which iswoman's lower spine and hip area. It can be done
usually achieved through proper nutrition.  Younganytime after menopause. But those with a family
women should also avoid taking certain medicationshistory of osteoporosis are at high risk and should
that inhibit estrogen production, such as steroids andget this screening done when they go through
cortisone. Having a low body weight is also a factormenopause.
in skeletal growth. Although eating disorders mayAccording to Pacifici, the test is similar to a
cause a small group of women to have low bodycholesterol screening, which is neither painful nor
weight, serious athletes like competitive runners andextremely expensive. But the significance of the test
gymnasts make up the larger group that is at risk.lies in the opportunity to gain information on how
While physical activity is good, it can be unhealthypeople can improve their chances of living happy,
when done in excess amounts of time and level ofhealthy lives in the future.
exertion.