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Facts on Osteoporosis
Note: Many confuse osteoporosis with osteoarthritis. They are actually two different diseases. For more information on osteoarthritis, please visit The Arthritis Society. Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease and is a major public health problem. More than 1.3 million fractures are attributed to (caused by) osteoporosis in the US each year. One out of every three women and one in eight men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her or his lifetime. Approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, with 34 million more having low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for developing osteoporosis. Sometimes referred to as “thinning of the bones,” osteoporosis means that the person has deceased bone mass (amount of bone), which makes bones more fragile and more likely to break, or fracture. Most fractures caused by osteoporosis occur at the vertebrae, hip, or wrist, with hip fractures the most concerning. A hip fracture usually requires hospitalization and surgery, can hamper a person's ability to walk unassisted or cause disability, and is also associated with increased mortality (risk of dying). If you break your hip, you have a 50% chance of never walking unaided again. Spinal or vertebral fractures can also have serious consequences, including loss of height, curvature of the spine, and severe or chronic back pain. Eighty percent of those with osteoporosis are women, and it is often considered a “woman’s disease.” Men, however, can also have osteoporosis and therefore be at increased risk for fracture. Also, osteoporosis is often thought of as an older person's disease. However, it is important that young persons develop and maintain strong bones, through a healthy diet, exercise, and avoidance of tobacco and alcohol. These early habits can help prevent fracture many years down to come. Most Americans with osteoporosis are unaware of their skeletal status, as osteoporosis is a “silent,” or undetected disease, without symptoms until a person fractures a bone. Because of this, doctors and bone researchers recommend that certain people (such as persons of advanced age, or those receiving long-term medications such as prednisone) should receive a bone density test (BMD, or a DXA test) to determine if they have osteoporosis. Low bone mineral density (BMD) is the most accurate predictor of fracture risk. Normal Bone Osteoporotic Bone
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