Osteoporosis is a term that means "porous bones." It is a skeletal disease affecting women and men. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones have lost minerals—especially calcium—making them weaker, more brittle, and susceptible to fractures (broken bones). Any bone in the body can be affected by osteoporosis, but the most common places where fractures occur are the back (spine), hips, and wrists.

Each year, osteoporosis causes an estimated 1.5 million fractures among women and men. Because the disease makes bones thinner and weaker, fractures can occur during ordinary movements like bending and lifting or from falls. These fractures can be painful, disfiguring, and may reduce a person’s ability to lead an active life. It is estimated that over the age of 50, one out of every two women will be affected by osteoporosis; so will one out of eight men.

Because of improvements in understanding osteoporosis, it is now treatable and devastating fractures may actually be preventable. Some treatment options available today not only prevent further bone loss, but also help you rebuild your bone mass. New research is underway that includes development of innovative treatments.

• Bisphosphonates represent one such advance in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Click to learn more about the first once-monthly bisphosphonate for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

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How Bones Develop

How Osteoporosis Develops

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis Signs and Symptoms

How Bones Develop

Throughout a lifetime, bones grow as the body grows. Old bone is removed from the skeleton and new bone is added. Throughout childhood and the teen years, new bone is added faster than old bone is removed – a positive bone balance. The result? Your bones become larger, heavier, and more dense, and the impact of bone loss related to aging is reduced.

This continues through about age 30, when your bones reach what is called “peak bone mass,” or maximum density and strength. After this point, bone removal begins to outpace formation of new bone, which, over time, leads to bone loss. The rate of bone loss is greatest in the first few years after menopause. After that, bone loss continues but more slowly.

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How Osteoporosis Develops

Some people may develop osteopenia, a condition characterized by low bone density. Osteopenia can eventually lead to osteoporosis, a more severe condition with even lower bone density. For someone with osteoporosis, low bone density makes bones brittle and weak, and the risk of fractures rises.

Not getting enough calcium and vitamin D, even during the childhood and teen years, can contribute to osteoporosis. And if bones did not reach the highest possible peak bone mass during developmental years, osteoporosis is even more likely to develop.

In addition, certain diseases, eating disorders, medications or medical treatments known to cause bone loss may also cause osteoporosis.

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Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

About 10 million Americans (8 million women and 2 million men) have osteoporosis, and approximately another 13-17 million people have low bone mass, a condition that increases the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Although the majority of those with osteoporosis are women, osteoporosis is a problem for men too. (For a number of reasons, men are affected less.) The condition can affect people at any age regardless of ethnic background, but postmenopausal women who are of Caucasian or Asian descent face a higher risk.

A woman’s risk of hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer. The overall risk of developing osteoporosis is higher if any of the following apply:

• Being female and postmenopausal, and over the age of 50
• Being thin or having a small frame
• Having a family history of osteoporosis or fracture
• Having certain health conditions, such as low bone mass; anorexia; estrogen deficiency related to menopause; or an abnormal absence of menstrual periods
• Use of certain medications, such as oral corticosteroids and anticonvulsants
• Lifestyle choices such as lack of exercise; cigarette smoking; or excessive consumption of alcohol

In the fall of 2004, the Surgeon General issued a report on bone health and osteoporosis. According to that report, you could be at risk for developing osteoporosis if you have certain conditions or risk factors. Here's a quick checklist to print out, fill out and take to your doctor.

Checklist for osteoporosis risk factors:
		I’m older than 65 I've broken a bone after the age of 50 A close relative has osteoporosis or has broken a bone after the age of 50 My overall health is “fair” or “poor” I am a smoker I am underweight for my height I am a woman who started the "change of life" (menopause) before age 45 I’ve never gotten enough calcium I have more than two drinks of alcohol several times a week I have poor vision, even with glasses I sometimes fall I’m not active
		I have one of these medical conditions: Hyperthyroidism (over active thyroid) Chronic lung disease Inflammatory bowel disease Chronic hepatic or renal disease Hyperparathyroidism Vitamin D deficiency Cushing’s disease Multiple sclerosis Rheumatoid arthritis
		I take one of these medicines: Oral glucocorticoids (steroids) Cancer treatments (radiation, chemotherapy) Thyroid medicine Antiepileptic medications Gonadal hormone suppression Immunosuppressive agents

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Osteoporosis Signs and Symptoms

Osteoporosis is sometimes called a “silent thief,” because bone loss can occur with no obvious symptoms. While your bones may not feel weaker, you may experience symptoms without realizing that they’re associated with osteoporosis. For example, a loss of height, change in posture, or severe back pain may be caused by osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, many people do not discover that they have osteoporosis until a bone fracture occurs. Early diagnosis and treatment may help lessen the risk of fracture (broken bone).

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