Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones weaken and become more likely to break. Osteoporosis can progress painlessly if not prevented or left untreated until a bone breaks. Any bone can be affected, but fractures of the hip and spine are of most concern. A hip fracture usually requires hospitalization and major surgery, which can impair a person's ability to walk unassisted and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or even death. Spinal fractures can cause loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity.

It is estimated that 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 34 million have low bone mass, placing them at risk for the disease. Of the 10 million people with osteoporosis, 8 million are women. There are often no warning symptoms of osteoporosis—you may not know you have it until you break a bone.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation has a questionnaire to determine risk of the disease. The more often you answer yes, the greater your risk:

• Do you have a small, thin frame and/or are you Caucasian or Asian?

• Have you or a member of your immediate family broken a bone as an adult?

• Are you a post-menopausal woman?

• Have you had an early or surgically induced menopause?

• Have you taken high doses of thyroid medication or more than 5 mg per day of prednisone or other glucocorticoid steroid for more than 3 months?

• Have you taken or are you taking immunosuppressive therapy to treat cancer?

• Is your diet low in dairy or other sources of calcium?

• Are you physically inactive?

• Do you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol in excess?

Osteoporosis is a complex disease but it is preventable if bone loss is detected early. Even if you have osteoporosis, you can live actively with treatment and adjustments to lifestyle. A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D supplementation, regular weight-bearing exercise and medication therapy can help slow bone loss and prevent fractures. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you believe you are at risk for osteoporosis.

Reference: http://www.nof.org/osteoporosis/index.htm.

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