Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become weak and porous. When this happens, bones break more easily. Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People may not know they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a fracture or a vertebra to collapse.
Who gets osteoporosis? Osteoporosis can happen to anyone, but it is most common in older women. People with certain risk factors are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Major risks include:
What causes osteoporosis? Bone is living tissue. To keep bones strong, our bodies continuously break down old bone and replace it with new healthy bone. As we age, more bone gets broken down than replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when bone loss occurs too quickly or replacement occurs too slowly.
Some common reasons for bone loss include:
How is osteoporosis diagnosed? There are several methods used to diagnose osteoporosis:
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis? Osteoporosis does not cause symptoms until you sustain a fracture. Some fractures that can occur include:
While osteoporosis itself may be "silent", fractures can have serious impacts on health and quality of life. Hip fractures, in particular, can lead to long-term disability and even early death.
How is osteoporosis treated? The goals of treating osteoporosis are to:
Some examples of osteoporosis medications include:
In addition, getting adequate calcium, vitamin D, and exercise can help maintain bone health. Quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and fall prevention measures are also important.