| Osteoporosis is a bone disease which causes a | | | | personal history of low bone mass, being female, |
| deterioration of bone density and low bone mass. | | | | being thin (male or female) having abnormal menstrual |
| This is dangerous because is causes the bones to | | | | periods for women, currently having or have had |
| become fragile (especially the hips, spine and wrists) | | | | anorexia nervosa in the past, eating a diet low |
| and there is increased risk of broken bones and slow | | | | vitamin D and calcium currently and throughout your |
| recovery periods. Osteoporosis can affect any bone, | | | | life, having an inactive life style, having low |
| but special attention is placed on the hips and spine, | | | | testosterone levels in men, being a smoker, being a |
| because the breaking of these bones can result in | | | | heavy drinker and being Caucasian or Asian. |
| long term injury including difficulty walking, | | | | However, keep in mind that people with these risk |
| hospitalization, deformity, loss of height, severe pain | | | | factors are not the only people who can get this |
| and even death. You should ask your doctor to | | | | disease, and all people are at risk and should be |
| check you bone density levels yearly, since this | | | | checked for the disease regularly. |
| disease often has no symptoms at all. When a | | | | There are certain things you can do to prevent your |
| person finally does experience any symptoms, they | | | | risk of developing osteoporosis including consuming a |
| are usually so far into the disease that what they are | | | | diet rich in vitamin D and calcium, having an active |
| feeling is back pain because of a fractured vertebra. | | | | lifestyle and doing weight baring exercises, quitting |
| Women are more likely to contract this disease than | | | | smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation and taking |
| men, often due to menopause, in which bone loss | | | | regular bone density tests. Doctors and health |
| increases. One in four women are affected with this | | | | professionals both agree that this is a very |
| disease, while only one in eight men are. Certain | | | | preventable disease as long as you take proper care |
| people are at a high risk factor for developing this | | | | of your health. Even if you start taking these |
| disease however, and you should be cautious if you | | | | precautions late in life, they will still lower your chance |
| have any of the following risk factors. Having a | | | | of developing the disease. |