Most of us are familiar with the symptoms of osteoporosis. It is a fairly common condition: approximately 44 million Americans have thin bones from calcium loss! It’s very likely you have relatives with osteoporosis, and there is a reasonable chance you or someone you are close to will develop it some day.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones lose the calcium from their matrix or structure and become fragile. This loss of calcium results in a decrease in bone mass and bone density, and the outer mineral layer of your bone begins to thin. The inner mesh skeleton of the bone also begins to thin. This results in very brittle and fragile bones. People who have osteoporosis are at risk for fractures that can occur with very minimal trauma. A step down the stairs, a minor fall in the house, a slight slip on ice, or in some rare cases, even a hard cough can result in bone fracture.

You might be aware that osteoporosis affects both men and women, though women are about 4 times as likely to develop it as men. And it is fairly well known that the risk of developing the condition increases with age. But did you know there are several other major risk factors, many of which are controllable?

Treatment for osteoporosis can help mitigate the effects of the disease, but the best defense is to prepare your body in advance to fight off the approach of the disease. Taking care of yourself now can lead to a long and healthy future!