Osteoporosis In Women And What They Can Do About It

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Osteoporosis is more common in women than it is in men. The primary characteristic of the disease is that a person is prone to have his bones easily broken. Those who have had brittle bones all their life are at a greater risk for getting osteoporosis. Unfortunately, there is not a cure for it, but there are ways that it can be controlled.

Here are some causes of osteoporosis:

  • Genetics
  • Lack of exercise
  • Lack of calcium
  • Lack of Vitamin D
  • Menopausal women

Anyone can get osteoporosis, but there are some who are at greater risk than others to get it:

  • Women that went through menopause before they turned 45
  • Are dealing with an eating disorder
  • Those who are over 50 years old
  • Those who have used hormones
  • Those who have taken certain medicines for seizures
  • Those who take medicines for cancer, asthma or arthritis
  • People that are very thin
  • People that have a poor posture

In order for someone to find out if they have osteoporosis, they will need to see their physician to administer the appropriate tests to determine a diagnosis. They will also order sound waves or x-rays. Sound waves are used as a measurement of bone density.

As a way to lower the chances of getting osteoporosis, women in particular, need to get enough Vitamin D and calcium, especially women who have had more than one child. If they are under 50 years old, they need at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily. For those that need Vitamin D, and are under 50 years old, they need at least 200 IU. Those women over 50 years old need at least 400 IU of Vitamin D.

Other things that women can do to prevent the onset of osteoporosis include:

  • Get out and exercise; try biking or walking. Women should exercise at least four to five times a week.
  • Refrain from smoking. If a woman is already a smoker, they need to take measures to kick the habit.
  • Don’t drink a lot of alcohol; more than one glass a day is too much.

It’s also important that women eat the right foods in order to keep their bones strong. This would include:

  • Drinking milk
  • Orange juice
  • Kale
  • Turnip greens
  • Other green, leafy vegetables

If you are not sure about what to do or need more assistance on preventing the onset of osteoporosis, contact your physician or heath care provider for assistance.