Osteoporosis: A debilitating disease that can be prevented
and treated.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and
more likely to
break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis
can progress
painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also
known as fractures,
occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.
Any bone can be affected, but of special concern are
fractures of the hip
and spine. A hip fracture almost always requires
hospitalization and major
surgery. It can impair a person's ability to walk unassisted
and may cause
prolonged or permanent disability or even death. Spinal or
vertebral
fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of
height, severe
back pain, and deformity.
Millions of Americans are at risk. While women are four
times more likely
than men to develop the disease, men also suffer from
osteoporosis.
Definition
Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by
low bone mass
and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone
fragility and
an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially of the
hip, spine and
wrist, although any bone can be affected.
In simpler terms, osteoporosis is a condition in which the
bones become weak
and can break from a minor fall or, in serious cases, from a
simple action
such as a sneeze.
About 85-90% of adult bone mass is acquired by age 18 in
girls and 20 in
boys. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence
can help to
prevent osteoporosis later in life.
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Together, the following five steps can optimize bone health
and help prevent
osteoporosis:
-Get the daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D
-Engage in regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening
exercise
-Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
-Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health
-Have a bone density test and take medication when
appropriate
A Osteoporosis means "porous bone." If you looked at
healthy bone under a
microscope, you would see that parts of it look like a
honeycomb. If you
have osteoporosis, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are
much bigger
than they are in healthy bone. This means your bones have
lost density, or
mass. It also means that the structure of your bone tissues
has become
abnormal. As your bones become less dense, they become
weaker.
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