Your doctor will evaluate the loss of mineral from your bones through tests which will determine your Bone Mineral Density (BMD).

Preventing osteoporosis
The development of strong bones begins early in life. Staying healthy throughout life is an excellent way to keep your bones healthy. The factors essential for healthy bones are:

Hormones: The production of the Hormone Estrogen is vital in adolescent females and young women so as to maintain bone mass. A shortage of Estrogen occurs in the following conditions, affecting bone mass and could lead to osteoporosis:

• Absence of periods
• Infrequent menstrual cycles
• Delay in the onset of the first period
• Early menopause

Lifestyle: Smoking affects bone health and results in a substantial loss of bone mass (bone mineral density) in women. Besides osteoporotic women who continue to smoke while on medication for osteoporosis, fail to achieve the full benefits of treatment. Women who consume excessive alcohol are also at risk for osteoporosis.

Other lifestyle factors that can lead to osteoporosis are:

• insufficient calcium intake,
• very minimal physical activity,
• excessive Caffeine intake,
• excessive alcohol intake and

Physical activity
Many of physical activities are beneficial for general health and well being. However, there are specific types of physical activities, which can improve your bone health. Ask your doctor for advice as to the kind of exercises that you can do to ensure optimum bone strength and health.

Conclusion
Your bones go through a constant state of bone loss and re-growth. As you age, more bone loss than bone growth can occur which is a normal and natural process. To increase your chances of staying healthy, exercise every day and get enough calcium and vitamin D. Seek your doctor’s advice about ways to prevent osteoporosis or the treatment options available.