About osteoporosis

How could osteoporosis affect me?
Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones weak and easy to break. "Osteoporosis" means "porous bones," or bones full of holes. Bones become dense and strong while we're young. But as we get older, women especially start to lose bone mass.
This can cause osteoporosis, which can lead to:

   • Broken bones, especially hips, wrists, and the spine
   • Pain
   • Body changes, such as a humped back
   • Being less active and independent

Women are most at risk for osteoporosis - 4 in 5 people with osteoporosis are women. Women are more likely to have osteoporosis if they:

   • Are white or Asian
   • Are small in body size
   • Eat a diet low in calcium
   • Are not physically active
   • Have a family history of bone fractures
   • Drink excessively or smoke
   • Stop having their period or don't get it very often while they are young

It is uncommon, but young women - even teens - can have osteoporosis too.
Usually this is caused by poor nutrition, exercising too much, or both.
Poor nutrition or over-exercise can cause a young woman to stop getting her period, which affects hormones in the body and can weaken bones.

Whether young or older, most people do not know they have osteoporosis until they've broken a bone, which is often caused by a fall or strain.
A test, called a bone density test, can determine if someone has osteoporosis or is at risk. This test is only used for people at high risk for osteoporosis, such as older people.
If you'd like to learn more, talk with your doctor or go to the National Osteoporosis Foundation website.