ALL ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS Osteoporosis is known as a chronic bone disease, which occurs due to the low bone mass as well as deterioration of the bone tissue. This leads to the increased risk of the broken bones, also called fragility fractures. Oftenly it is called a silent disease because there are no signs or pain until a fracture occurs.
What is the impact? At the Global level, an osteoporotic fracture basically occurs in every 3 seconds. Hip fractures are basically associated with reduced mobility, chronic pain, disability and loss of independence.
Who gets osteoporosis? Of the estimated 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, more than 8 million are women. Osteoporosis is most common in older women. Osteoporosis mainly affects 1 out of 4 women aged 65 or older. What are the symptoms of osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is addressed as a silent disease. You may not experience any signs of the osteoporosis until you fracture a bone. Fractures are quite common in the wrist, hip and spine (vertebrae). Your spine basically supports your body, helping you to stand and sit up. Fractures in the spine can be responsible for causing the spine in order to collapse and bend forward. In case of this, you may get a few symptoms include: • • • • •
curve in the back height loss sloping shoulders back pain hunched posture
What causes osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is caused by bone loss. Most oftenly, the major reason for a bone loss is decreased levels of hormone estrogen. Estrogen involved in building as well as maintaining your bones. Low estrogen level occurs due to the menopause. After menopause, your ovaries make reduced estrogen. Some women lose up their 25% of bone mass in the