Osteoporosis
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, which literally means “porous bone,” is a progressive bone disease that makes your bones weak, permeable, and more likely to sustain a sudden fracture after a fall or, in some cases, even from typically benign activities such as coughing or bending over. These fractures often impact the hip, wrist, or spine, but they can occur in any bone in the body. Because osteoporosis does not have symptoms or pain in its early stages, a fracture may be the first indication that a person has developed the disease.
Although osteoporosis is often thought of as a disease that impacts women, one in four men above the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. As many as half of all women older than 50 will break a bone because of the condition. Osteoporosis affects about 8 million women and 2 million men.
Types of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is primarily age-related, but in some cases, the disease is caused by other health conditions as well as certain medications and lifestyle factors. Types of osteoporosis include:
Primary Osteoporosis
In osteoporosis, your bones become weak and more likely to fracture. Often people do not know they have the condition until they break a bone—most commonly in the wrist, hip, or spine. That's why it is important to take steps to keep your bones strong and find out if you are at risk for fractures.
Secondary Osteoporosis
Secondary osteoporosis can be brought on by a variety of causes, including medications or other chronic diseases and conditions. Common diseases that may contribute to the development of osteoporosis include:
Medications that may lead to osteoporosis include chronic steroids, anticonvulsive medications, and excess use of thyroid hormone replacement drugs. Low calcium intake and low vitamin D levels can also contribute to the development of osteoporosis.
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Dr. Oz's Health Guide for Men and Women
Bone fractures due to osteoporosis rise significantly as you age, particularly for those past menopause. A bone-density test can determine your risk for the bone-thinning disease, and your doctor can prescribe bisphosphonates to curb any further loss... Read
Quiz: Build Strong Bones���
Quiz: Build Strong Bones Osteoporosis is not inevitable and men can get it, too — test your knowledge of what you can do to protect your bones. LONGEVITY QUEST: Blue Zones author Dan Buettner travels through Italy and Greece interviewing extraordina... Read
9 Steps to Improve Your Health
We're bombarded with ads urging women to take anti-osteoporosis medications or to get our fill of calcium supplements. But foods, not pills, are the true bone builders. In research at the University of Surrey in England, women who ate a lot of fruits... Read
The 'Influentials' Who Make Us Healthier
She's probing what they mean to heart disease, vascular dementia and osteoporosis. Elliott Fisher, M.D., 60. DIRECTOR, Center for Population Health. He began his career as an ambulance driver in suburban Boston; now he's a Dartmouth University-based ... Read
Should I Keep Taking Fosamax for My Osteoporosis?
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Can a Daily Drink Help Postmenopausal Women's Bones?
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