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Women who have gone through menopause are at a much higher risk of suffering from osteoporosis than those women who are yet to reach that stage. There are a number of reasons why as well as preventive steps that can be taken to avoid osteoporosis which we shall discuss briefly.
Oestrogen, the female hormone that is abundant at the younger stages of a woman’s life begins to drop postmenopause. Oestrogen is the hormone that, among other things, is vital for bone building and the density of bones. So once its levels in the female body reduce, a woman is more likely to start suffering the early onset of osteoporosis, known as osteopenia. In fact, within the first 5 years of menopause, a woman may lose up to 10% of bone mass.
A woman’s bone mass peaks between the ages of 25-30. If at this time her bone mass is not ideal, then she will be at a very high risk of osteoporosis in the postmenopausal period. It is very important to start taking care of your physical wellbeing from early stages of life before suffering its effects later when the chances of recuperation are much slower, and the process much more painful.
If you are in the postmenopausal period of life and have still not noticed any signs of osteoporosis or its predecessor, osteopenia, then first and foremost visit a doctor and get a bone density scan done and follow the instructions of your doctor.
Diet plays an extremely important role in the health of your bones. True, there is a hormonal imbalance post menopause, but that doesn’t mean that it needs to stay that way or that one should succumb to its effects. Eating foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D will help in the upkeep of bones for a longer period of time. Drink a lot of milk and take supplements that are rich in the aforementioned minerals and vitamins as recommended by your doctor. Make sure that you reduce processed foods. Cheese might seem like a good idea as this milk product is rich in calcium, but eating industrially manufactured cheese will do little to strengthen bones. It is now widely known that the fresher and more natural your food is, the better it will support your health.
Exercise is also extremely important. Going to the gym and working on weights is good for muscles, but it will not help with bone density. It is imperative for one to go on a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes 5 times or more in a week and do so in nature rather than indoors. The early morning sun as well is rich with vitamin D which plays an important role in strengthening bones.
It is never too late to make a change to your lifestyle because it goes a long way in overall health and wellbeing. When it comes to bone strength, preventing the on-set of osteoporosis isn’t difficult, if one keeps up a healthy lifestyle. If one is already suffering with osteoporosis or its earlier stages, reversing it is hard, but still possible. Always have a trusted doctor handy and support around you as well as you work hard to get your health back on track.
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