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Most people don't think about the health of their skeletons. Our bones have always been there; holding us up and letting us move. However, by the time a person reaches the age of 50, she is at risk for osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone density, which, in turn, causes the bones to be more susceptible to fractures.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 10 million men and women over the age of 50 are afflicted with the disease. Another 34 million are estimated to have low bone mass and at risk for osteoporosis. Of the 10 million who have the disease, 8 million of these are women, making osteoporosis one the most serious health issues facing older women. Additionally, women are twice as likely as men to suffer bone fractures due to osteoporosis, making it a serious women's health issue.
Osteoporosis has become a serious enough women's helth issue that in October of 2004, the United States Office of the Surgeon General issued its first report on osteoporosis and bone health. The estimated cost of osteoporosis is $17 billion a year. This includes hospital and nursing home costs, as well as the costs associated with fractures due to low bone mass.
By the time a woman is 20, about 98 percent of her skeleton's mass is in place. By the time a woman is 25, she has virtually stopped building or storing bone mass, and can only maintain or lose it. This is why it is important for women who are concerned with their health to consume the recommended daily allowances of calcium and Vitamin D.
Menopause is the time that bone mass loss for women can really pick up. It is possible to lose 20 percent of a woman's bone mass in the five to seven years immediately following menopause. Women who reach early menopause (another impact on women's health) naturally or through surgical or hormonal means are at an even higher risk of osteoporosis.
Despite its prevalence, osteoporosis is one of the most preventable diseases. The best way to avoid injury and deformities (i.e. stooped posture) due to osteoporosis is to cultivate a healthy lifestyle. While adolescence is the best time for someone to focus on women's health by building healthy bones, progress can be made at any stage in life.
The best ways to prevent osteoporosis and reduce bone mass loss are to eat a balanced diet rich in vitamin D and calcium, weight-bearing exercise and avoiding unhealthy practices such as smoking and excessive alcohol intake. Calcium supplements are available in many forms and can aid in ensuring that the proper calcium intake is achieved. The supplement industry recognizes the importance of women's health: Many women's versions of multi-vitamins have a higher amount of calcium.
There are no symptoms to indicate osteoporosis; most women find out they have it too late, when they have experienced a bone fracture. However, there are tests available that can detect bone density and provide a picture of the woman's skeletal health. There are also prescription medications that can help maintain bone density. To prevent osteoporosis a woman should live healthy and have regular check-ups.
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