Understanding Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OS-tee-oh-puh-RO-sis) is a disease that causes bone loss. Over time, the bones can become thinner and weaker. The inner bones, which are full of tiny holes, like a sponge, become lighter and have more empty space. As bones thin, they are more likely to break or fracture. This happens most often in the hip, spine (back), and wrist.

About 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis. Women get it more often than men. Only one in five people with osteoporosis is a man. When a man does get osteoporosis, he is just as likely to break a bone as a woman with the disease.

Osteoporosis occurs more often in women after the "change of life" (menopause). This happens because the body produces little estrogen after menopause. Estrogen is the female sex hormone that helps keep bones strong.

Osteoporosis is caused by bone loss. Bone is living tissue. Old bone is always being replaced by new bone. When old bone disappears faster than new bone is made, bone loss occurs. A person has osteoporosis when so much bone loss has occurred that the bones are weak and break easily.

Some things in our lifestyle can help prevent bone loss. Calcium in the food we eat helps to build new bone and keep bones strong. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Exercise is important for strong bones too.

Other things make bone loss happen faster. Bone loss begins naturally as early as age 30. It continues throughout life. Low sex hormones at menopause cause faster bone loss. Some medications do too. Some people have faster bone loss than others and pass it on to their children.

People who are more likely to get osteoporosis include:

	Anyone who has a bone fracture after age 50
	Women who have gone through menopause
	White or Asian women
	Small-boned or thin women
	Women who stopped having periods early for any reason (such as hysterectomy, too much exercise, anorexia, bulimia)
	Those who don't get enough calcium in their diets
	Those who don't get enough vitamin D (Vitamin D is made when your body is in sunlight. It is also found in many vitamin pills.)
	Those who smoke
	Those who drink too much alcohol
	Those who don't get enough weight-bearing exercise (such as walking, jogging, dancing)
	Those who take certain medications (for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid conditions, seizures, gastrointestinal disease)