Of all the health issues that modern women face, a condition called osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent. The disease is caused by excessive loss of calcium in the bones, resulting in brittle and easily fractured bones.

Who is Prone to Osteoporosis?

While men can develop osteoporosis, the disease is most often found in women. The disease usually occurs following the onset of menopause, after the age of forty. As women

The rate in which osteoporosis affects women is much higher than the number of men afflicted with the disease. This is partly due to the fact that men usually have a greater bone mass than women. The natural aging process, however, can cause osteoporosis to develop in men as well as women.

The most prominent risk factors for developing osteoporosis are being female, and roughly menopause age. Additionally, Caucasian females appear to be at a greater risk. Osteoporosis also tends to affect individuals with reduced muscular activity. Being underweight can be a contributing factor, so those with eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia often find themselves at greater risk of developing the disease. Finally, a family history of osteoporosis is a major risk factor. If you know that osteoporosis runs in your family, making changes to your lifestyle can help protect you from developing this condition.

Diagnosing Osteoporosis

Early diagnosis and subsequent preliminary treatments can be tricky, because many people don't realize they have osteoporosis until they suffer from some kind of injury. It's not unusual for patients to suffer from a bone fracture before they even realize that they have the disease.

However, changes in modern women's health care are making it possible to detect the disease in its early stages, and even prevent osteoporosis altogether. New advances in bone scanning make it possible for doctors to test the bone density of their patients. With early detection and treatment, the progress of osteoporosis can be slowed or even stopped before too much damage is done.

Take steps today if you feel that you are at risk for developing osteoporosis. First and foremost, make an appointment to discuss your concerns and symptoms with your doctor or healthcare professional. He or she will ask about your complete medical history, and perform a complete a physical exam. If there are indications that you are at risk of osteoporosis, your doctor should order a blood test to analyze your calcium levels, assess your thyroid level and rule out other forms of arthritis.

Your doctor may also take X-rays to view your bone density. A bone marrow densitometer is a special machine that allows specialists to see inside your bones. It's an accurate and painless way to measure bone density, and it can help your doctor to determine whether you may be at risk for developing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common forms of arthritis in the United States. Fortunately, increased education and public attention has led to a greater awareness of the condition. Now, more than ever before, women are able to fully understand the importance of preventing osteoporosis, and have greater knowledge of the treatment options available.

About the Author

Author Sheila Ffloyd is an essayist for several popular web sites, on womens fitness and lifetime fitness issues.