What is osteoporosis

What to Know About Osteoporosis Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones," is a condition that causes bones to gradually thin and weaken, leaving them at greater risk of Although all bones can be affected by the disease, the bones of the spine, hip, and wrist are most likely to break. In older people, hip fractures can be particularly dangerous. Having to stay still for a long time during the healing process can lead to possibly deadly complications, like Of the estimated 10 million Americans who have What Causes Osteoporosis? When people are young, bone in their bodies is broken down and replaced continuously, a process known as bone remodeling. Bone mass usually peaks in a person's mid to late 20s. For women, the loss of bone density speeds up during the first 5 to 7 years after Although some loss of bone density is a natural part of aging, you’re at higher risk for getting the very porous bones and fractures associated with • Are thin or have a small frame • Smoke, drink more than moderately, or live a sedentary lifestyle • Have a family history of hip fracture • Had your ovaries removed, especially before age 40 • Are white or Asian Certain medical conditions that increase bone breakdown, including Bone Health and Your Lifestyle Habits Your everyday habits -- good and bad -- affect bone health. How do your habits stack up? • Vitamin D and calcium. Not getting enough vitamin D or calcium can weaken your bones. The National Institutes of Health recommends adults up to 70 ...

• Assigned female at birth • Older age • Thinner bones (people with a more petite build) • Too much thyroid hormone • Too little estrogen in females • Too little testosterone in males • A diet that is low in protein, vitamin D, or calcium • White or Asian descent • Heavy consumption of alcohol • Long-term use of steroid medication, antiepileptic drugs, and possibly proton pump inhibitors • Smoking • Long periods of bed rest • Family history of osteoporosis • Menopause • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. • Johns Hopkins Medicine. • National Institute on Aging. • NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center. • Harvard Health Publishing. • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. • Harvard Health Publishing. • Johns Hopkins Medicine.