What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects your bones. It means that you have bones that are thin and brittle with lots of holes inside them like a sponge. This makes them easy to break. Osteoporosis can lead to broken bones (fractures) in the hip, spine, and wrist. These fractures can be disabling and may make it hard for you to live on your own.

Osteoporosis affects millions of older adults. It usually occurs after age 60. It's most common in women, but men can get it too.

In the early stages of osteoporosis, you probably won't have symptoms. As the disease progresses, you may have symptoms related to weakened bones, such as:

• Broken bones (fractures) that might occur with a minor injury, especially in the hip, spine, and wrist.
• Back pain.
• Loss of height and stooped posture.
• A curved upper back (dowager's hump). You might notice that you aren't as tall as you used to be.
• Compression fractures in the spine that may cause severe back pain. But sometimes these fractures cause only minor symptoms or no symptoms at all.

To diagnose osteoporosis, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. You may also have a test that measures your bone strength (bone density test) and your risk for a broken bone.

During the physical exam, the doctor will:

• Measure your height and compare the results with past measurements.
• Examine your body for signs of previous broken bones, such as changes in the shape of your long bones and spine.

The bone density test helps your doctor estimate the strength of your bones. If the test finds that your bone thickness is less than normal but isn't osteoporosis, you may have low bone density (sometimes called osteopenia). It's a less severe type of bone thinning.

Routine urine and blood tests can rule out other medical conditions. These include hyperthyroidism and Cushing's syndrome. These conditions can cause bone loss.

Treatment for osteoporosis focuses on reducing bone loss, building bone strength, and preventing broken bones. Treatment may include:

• Taking medicines that slow the rate of bone thinning and help build bone density.
• Getting enough calcium and vitamin D to build strong, healthy bones.
• Having healthy habits, such as getting plenty of weight-bearing exercise, eating healthy foods, and not smoking. This can help slow osteoporosis.

Making even small changes in how you eat and exercise, along with taking medicine, can help prevent a broken bone.

It's also important to protect yourself from falling. For example, you can reduce your risk of breaking a bone by making your home safer.

You can do a lot to slow bone loss and prevent broken bones.

• Get enough calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium is found in many foods, including dairy products like milk and yogurt. Ask your doctor if you need to take a supplement that contains calcium plus vitamin D.
• Get regular bone-building exercise. This includes:
  • Weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, stair climbing, and dancing.
  • Resistance exercises with weights or elastic bands.
• Don’t smoke. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines.
• Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
• Prevent falls.
  • Use a cane or walker, if you need it.
  • Install handrails on stairways, around your shower or tub area, and near the toilet.
  • Remove throw rugs and other objects that are in the way.