| One of the conditions a woman must be concerned | | | | area to experience loss of bone mass. You probably |
| about is osteoporosis. This may usually occur right | | | | don't need a special scan to identify bone loss if you |
| after menopause. However, there are steps you can | | | | have lost height each year. However, if you have |
| take to alleviate it. | | | | just begun perimenopause or are in the stages of |
| Osteoporosis is simply bone loss. It is inherent in aging | | | | menopause, it may be a good idea to have the test |
| for both men and women, although women are more | | | | done now. |
| susceptible to it. Because a woman's bone density is | | | | If after the test you are told your bone loss is |
| less than that of a man, this allows more time for | | | | minimal, you may decide to do nothing. But it is still |
| the bone to age. The loss of bone mass begins | | | | important to keep your bones strong and to |
| approximately at age 40. After menopause, there is | | | | therefore, you may wish to keep tabs on the |
| an acceleration of five to seven years at which point | | | | progress of bone loss through tests. If, on the other |
| it returns to its normal age-related rate. | | | | hand, you are told that your rate of bone loss is |
| The absence of estrogen has less to do with bone | | | | significant, you may want to take a proactive |
| loss than aging. In fact, smoking, medications, and | | | | approach to prevent osteoporosis. |
| being underweight have a greater effect on bone | | | | The most effective way to maintain the strength of |
| loss. That's why exercise is so important. It increases | | | | your bones requires a combination of lifestyle |
| bone mass. While osteoporosis can lead to loss of | | | | changes and dietary measures, such as: discontinue |
| height and tiny fractures, woman are also vulnerable | | | | smoking; exercise 30 minutes a day, three or four |
| to fractures of the hip. Therefore, it is important to | | | | days a week; ensure you are following a nutritional |
| take precautionary measures such as proper diet, | | | | diet, with sufficient amounts calcium; exercise caution |
| exercise and vitamins to prevent the loss of bone | | | | to prevent falls; and included vitamin D supplements |
| mass. Further, your doctor may advise you to take a | | | | in your dietary regimen. |
| bone density test to determine just how much bone | | | | Clearly, osteoporosis can rear its ugly head at some |
| loss has occurred. | | | | point. But you can take appropriate action to ensure |
| The bone density test encompasses taking an X-ray | | | | you are doing everything you can to prevent the |
| scan which can measure the bone density of your | | | | onset or, at the very least, stopping its progression. |
| lumbar spine, because the spine is usually the first | | | | |