Post by Your Home Companion on Mar 23, 2015 19:07:10 GMT
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become very fragile, which can cause bones to break easier during a fall or even when you're making everyday movements (simple movements such as bending or even coughing). There are more than 1.5 million fractures each year that occur due to osteoporosis.
Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but it is more common in women as opposed to men. It's also more common in the elderly because as we age our bodies absorb old bone tissue faster than our bodies can create new bone tissue.
Risk factors for osteoporosis include:
1. Having a family history of osteoporosis
2. Being either an Asian or White woman
3. Getting older
4. Being a small or thin framed person
5. Taking certain prescriptions
6. Having low bone density (also known as osteopenia)
It's impossible to know if you have osteoporosis unless you have a bone density scan (DEXA scan). These scans can determine how much bone density you have lost and help you to decide what to do to take the proper steps to stop or slow down the loss.