Learn more about Osteoporosis

Who gets osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is more common in older women, mainly non-Hispanic white and Asian women. Yet it can occur at any age, in men as well as women, and in all ethnic groups. People over age 50 are at greatest risk of developing osteoporosis and having related fractures. Over age 50, one in two women and one in six men will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture at some point in their lives. In the U.S., about 4.5 million women and 0.8 million men over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, according to 2005–06 data. These figures are lower than older estimates, suggesting that osteoporosis is decreasing in the population. This is consistent with recent trends seen in decreasing rates of hip fracture.

Osteoporosis is silent because there are no symptoms (what you feel). It may come to your attention only after you break a bone. When you have this condition, a fracture can occur even after a minor injury, such as a fall. The most common fractures occur at the spine, wrist and hip. Spine and hip fractures, in particular, may lead to chronic (long-term) pain and disability, and even death. The main goal of treating osteoporosis is to prevent such fractures in the first place.

You can learn if you have osteoporosis by having a simple test that measures bone mineral density—sometimes called BMD. BMD —the amount of bone you have in a given area—is measured at different parts of your body. Often the measurements are at your spine and your hip, including a part of the hip called the femoral neck, at the top of the thighbone (femur). Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (referred to as DXA or DEXA and pronounced “dex-uh”) is the best current test to measure BMD.

If you have osteoporosis, your health care provider will advise the following Calcium, Vitamin D, Bisphosphonates, Calcitonin, Estrogen or Hormone replacement therapy, Teriparatide(Forteo) and Denosumab(Prolia) based on results of Bone density results.

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the removal of old bone.