Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis will cause the bones to become brittle and weak. With this condition, fractures can occur from falling down, or even from something as innocuous as bending over or coughing. These fractures frequently occur in the spine, hips, or wrists.
Your bone tissue is always being broken down and replaced, and in the case of osteoporosis, new bone creation does not keep up with the removal of old bone. Everyone is susceptible to this condition, although older women who are past menopause have the highest risk.
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
During the early stages of bone loss, there usually aren’t symptoms. Once your bones have been weakened, you may experience the following symptoms: loss of height and/or a stooped posture, back pain caused by a collapsed or fractured vertebra, and bone fractures that occur more easily than they should.
What are the treatments?
In order to prevent bone loss or strengthen weak bones, you can take medication, implement a healthy diet, and exercise.*
If you’ve gone through early menopause, or your parents have had hip fractures, or or you’ve taken corticosteroids, talk with your doctor about osteoporosis.
Recommended treatments depend on an estimate of your risk of breaking a bone in the next ten years, via bone density test.*
* Individual results may vary.