What is Osteoporosis?

From birth onward, your bones are constantly renewing themselves. Slowly but steadily, old bone is removed and new bone is formed.

With advancing age, particularly after menopause, old bone continues to be removed, but new bone formation starts to lag behind. This results in a gradual and steady decrease in the amount of bone material. This decrease may lead to the condition called osteoporosis, or "porous bones. " As bone density decreases, the bones become weaker and more likely to break (fracture).

Both men and women experience progressive decrease in bone density as they age, however, it will occur more quickly and more severely in some people than others.

Who Will Get Osteoporosis?

The risk of osteoporosis is greater in:

Women after menopause

Caucasian and Asian women, though African American women are also at risk

Women with a family history of osteoporosis

Women with small bone frames, thin women

Women and men with certain uncommon medical conditions (such as hyperparathyroidism) or use of certain medications such as cortisone, heparin, seizure medicines, and some cancer treatments.

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