| Osteoporosis is a medical condition that decreases | | | | osteoporosis can cause a considerable amount of |
| bone density and bone strength which results in | | | | pain, decrease in quality of life, missed days from |
| fragile bones. It causes them to become very porous | | | | work and even permanent disability. |
| much like that of a sponge thus weakening the | | | | The density of bones is measured by the amount |
| bones resulting in frequent fractures. Bones are | | | | that is within the body's skeletal structure. Needless |
| comprised of collagen, protein, and calcium which | | | | to say, the more density you have, the stronger |
| work together to give strength and the ability to | | | | your bones are going to be. Density is generally |
| resist fractures. When bones are affected by | | | | genetically linked. Men tend to have higher amounts |
| osteoporosis and become weak, it takes very little | | | | than women. Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining |
| trauma to cause a fracture whereas normally they | | | | structural density in women. Loss of density occurs |
| are not affected by osteoporosis and can withstand | | | | when estrogen levels drop off after the onset of |
| more pressure. Common areas normally invaded by | | | | menopause in women. |
| osteoporosis are the spine, ribs, hips, and wrists. | | | | Osteoporosis can be treated and prevented. The |
| A person can develop osteoporosis and not present | | | | overall goal is to prevent fractures by minimizing bone |
| with any symptoms for many years as normally it | | | | loss and increasing density. Changing your lifestyle and |
| does not cause symptoms until after a bone | | | | taking medications to increase bone strength and |
| becomes weak and is fractured. The most common | | | | stop bone density loss are the only treatment |
| symptom of osteoporosis is pain usually at the | | | | modalities in maintaining good health and preventing |
| location of the fracture. Fractures due to | | | | osteoporosis. |