Finding Out If You Have Osteoporosis
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition which affects more than 25 million Americans. It is a disease in which the bones become weak, and even a simple fall or bump can cause a bone to break. The most common bones to break or fracture are those of the spine, hip, and wrist. In the United States, osteoporosis causes more than 1.5 million fractures each year. One third of American women over the age of 65 will eventually have a spinal fracture, also known as a "vertebral" or "compression" fracture. It is called a "silent disease" because you cannot feel or see your bones becoming weaker. Loss of bone strength occurs gradually, over time, until a usual activity like picking up a grandchild or a bag of groceries can cause a bone to break. In fact, most people don't know they have osteoporosis until a bone breaks. By that time, the disease is advanced.
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Normal bone is dense and strong. |
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Bone with osteoporosis has thinned out and becomes more porous, making it more likely to break. |