What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes thinning of bones. Over time, this weakens the bones and can make them more likely to break. It can affect any bone, but the hip, spine, and wrist are most often involved. It's often called a "silent disease" because people can't feel their bones getting weaker.

Who is at risk for osteoporosis?

Women are more likely than men to develop osteoporosis. This happens because of hormonal differences. Also men have larger, stronger bones than women.  Men and women older than age 50 are at the greatest risk for osteoporosis. One in 2 women and 1 in 4 men in this age group will fracture a bone because of osteoporosis. People who are white or Asian are more likely to get osteoporosis than people who are Hispanic or African-American.

Other risk factors that may increase your chances for osteoporosis include:

• Small bones

• Lack of physical activity or exercise

• Smoking

• Drinking too much alcohol

• A diet low in calcium and vitamin D

• Previous fracture, especially after age 50

• Being postmenopausal

• Taking certain medicines, for example long-term use of corticosteroids

• Family history of osteoporosis

Many people are unaware they have osteoporosis until they have advanced symptoms. These may include a broken hip or wrist, low back pain, or a hunched back.

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

If your healthcare provider thinks that you have osteoporosis, a simple, painless test to measure bone mineral density can confirm it. The test is called a bone density test.

If you're diagnosed with osteoporosis, a number of medicines are available to treat it. Talk to your healthcare provider about the type of treatment that's best for you.

Can osteoporosis be prevented?

To help prevent osteoporosis:

• Talk with your healthcare provider about screening tests for osteoporosis.

• Do regular weight-bearing exercise. This means activities that work your legs against gravity. The best exercises are walking, dancing, jogging, stair-climbing, playing racquet sports, and hiking. If you've been inactive, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise.

• Talk with your healthcare provider about your diet and whether or not you need to take a vitamin and mineral supplement.

• Don't smoke. If you smoke, get help from your healthcare provider to quit.

• Don't drink alcohol in excess.