Pre-menopausal Osteoporosis

Many people view osteoporosis as a disease that only attacks older women.  The truth is that, although it mostly affects women, it also affects men.  It can occur at any stage of life, although pre-menopausal osteoporosis is rarer than the post-menopausal form.

The sad reality is that pre-menopausal osteoporosis can occur in early adulthood.  It has been linked to a variety of other factors that contribute to this accelerated bone loss.  For those who suffer from the disease, it is a frustrating, painful journey of bone loss and deterioration.  Patients who do not seek treatment almost always endure bone fractures and other problems.

What causes pre-menopausal osteoporosis?  Although there is no one single thing that causes this crippling disease, there are many things that you can do to lower your chances of contracting it.  First, you can eat healthier.  This means making sure that your diet is full of calcium, a building block for good bones.  Whether it’s through drinking milk or eating green leafy vegetables, calcium is essential for a healthy body.  If you don’t think you take in enough products through the green leafy vegetables, through orange juice, or through dairy products, you can try to avoid pre-menopausal osteoporosis by taking a calcium supplement.

Another way to avoid pre-menopausal osteoporosis is to maintain a substance free lifestyle.  If you indulge in alcoholic beverages, you don’t want to do so in excess.  Smokers are also at greater risk for developing pre-menopausal osteoporosis, so smokers should find a “quitting” program that works.  Overweight women are also at a higher risk for developing pre-menopausal osteoporosis since the extra weight puts more stress on muscles, joints, and bones.  If you lose your excess weight, you are more likely to avoid suffering from this illness.

If you think you may be suffering from the early stages of pre-menopausal osteoporosis, don’t hesitate to seek medical treatment for this reversible, preventable disease.  The good news is that your doctor can help you devise a plan to ensure that you are on the road to a healthier lifestyle.