Osteopenia is early sign of bone loss that can turn into osteoporosis. It is a precursor to the debilitating disease that results in disfigurement and serious bone problems.

Osteopenia can be treated with some extra care, and you can avoid loss of mobility and independence which osteoporosis can bring on. Here’s how:

1. Check your bone health. Measure your bone density and bone mass. Bone density defines the thickness of your bone. Bone mass means how much bone you have.

2. Ensure that your bone density show the right levels of minerals like calcium, phosphate etc. The denser the content of your bone mineral is, the stronger your bones are.

3. Your bone mass peaks at the age of 30, after that the body starts reabsorbing the minerals from your bones faster than they can be made leading to weakening of bone’s structure.

4. The first sign that you have osteopenia can be a broken bone or minute crack in the bone caused without any external reason. It can mean that you are in an advanced stage.

5. All women are at higher risk of osteopenia. Seek help if you are a woman above 65.

6. Small frame, inactive lifestyle, smoking, low calcium diet can all cause osteopenia.

7. Do strength training and add adequate calcium in your diet to fight this.