Osteoporosis is a serious condition affecting nearly 10 million people in the United States today.
Post-menopausal women are at a greater risk for developing osteoporosis.
The great news is that osteoporosis is preventable.
Bones are at their peak strength at about age 25, so getting plenty of calcium at a young age will help develop strong bones.
But, even if you have weak bones or have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis, you can take steps to help with your bone health.
Here are some of the best ways to prevent osteoporosis:

• Early detection of bone loss makes treatment much more effective.
  Know the risk factors for osteoporosis and find out when you should be tested.
  
• Get the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D each day.
  This is important throughout your life because it will help you develop strong bones at an early age, and prevent bone loss as you get older.
  The recommended amount of calcium is 1,000 to 1,500 mg per day, with a minimum of 800 IU of vitamin D.
  
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption make it difficult for your body to make use of calcium.
  Cutting back on these habits will keep you in better health.
  
• Exercise is key to preventing osteoporosis.
  It is important to do weight-bearing exercise to strengthen your bones.
  In addition, regular activity and exercise keeps you mobile and flexible, which can decrease the likelihood of falls.
  Walking as little as one mile per day is recommended, as is biking, jogging or using a rowing machine.
  
• Talk to your doctor about osteoporosis.
  You should stay informed about the risk factors of osteoporosis and ask your doctor when testing your bone density is appropriate.
  
• As women go through menopause, hormone therapy can greatly reduce chances of developing osteoporosis.
  However, there are other risks involved with estrogen therapy, so you should discuss the treatment with your doctor.
  
• Your doctor may recommend treatment for osteoporosis if you have suffered loss of bone mass.
  There are a number of medications available today to treat osteoporosis and prevent further bone loss as you age.
  

Osteoporosis is not something you should wait to think about, because prevention that starts early in life will be much more effective.
Don't wait until your bones have become weak to start the preventive measures outlined above.
Because there are no symptoms involved in early bone loss, there is no way for you to know if your bones have lost density.
If you are not informed and proactive about osteoporosis, you might not be aware you have it until a serious fracture occurs.
Take charge of your own health and know the best ways to prevent osteoporosis.