Women's Health

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become more porous (less solid and less dense), which gradually makes them weaker and more brittle. “Osteo” means bone, and “porosis” means porous. Bones affected by osteoporosis: Do not have enough solid calcium and phosphorus, and steadily lose their supporting protein framework Become thinner and more fragile […]

There is no single cause of osteoporosis. Our bodies constantly build new bone and remove older bone. In childhood, more bone is built than removed, and so the bones grow in size. After age 30 or 40, however, the cells that build new bone do not keep up with those that remove bone. The total

Some people are more likely than others to develop osteoporosis. Risk factors Why your teenager should be concerned Can men be affected too? Risk Factors For Osteoporosis Certain risk factors greatly increase the chance of someone developing osteoporosis. These risk factors are: Menopause in women. The risk of developing osteoporosis is much higher in women after menopause. In fact,

If your health care provider thinks that you may have or may be at risk for osteoporosis, you may need a bone mineral density (BMD) test (also referred to as a bone density test), which can detect osteoporosis and allow effective treatment to start. A BMD test can help your physician confirm a diagnosis of

Preventive measures may reduce or stop bone loss. The earlier these measures are begun, the more effective the results. If you suspect you’re at risk for osteoporosis, it’s wise to address it now, before a bone fracture occurs. Preventing osteoporosis involves making a few changes in your diet, getting enough exercise, and considering whether the available

The good news is that almost everyone with osteoporosis can be treated successfully. The newer medications on the market today (described in How You Can Prevent Osteoporosis) [hyperlink to that section] are considered breakthroughs in the treatment of osteoporosis. But treatment begins after the diagnosis, which is quick and easy with your bone density test

Here are some frequently asked questions related to osteoporosis. Q: I’ve been allergic to milk since infancy. Do I have any hope of avoiding osteoporosis? A: Milk and dairy products are the main sources of calcium in our diet. If you have a true allergy to milk, you must avoid all milk products. But it is common to

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis means thinning of the bones. If bones become thin enough, they break more easily. After fractures, activities can be limited and the risk of death may increase, especially after age 65. Osteoporosis may not be outwardly apparent until a fracture occurs, but it