Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and fragile. While it typically happens more in women more than men - and after the age of 60 – you may not even know you have it until you break a bone after a fall or bump. Once it worsens, you might develop back pain or notice you’re not as tall as you used to be.

Nationwide, more people suffer fractures each year than heart attacks, strokes and breast cancer combined. Because the effects of osteoporosis can be debilitating, it’s best to be assessed and treated as soon as possible. That gives you the best chance to preserve bone mass and prevent potential fractures
Many things can lead to osteoporosis:
- Age, gender and body type (slender people are at higher risk).
- Risks increase with age.
- After menopause, women lack the estrogen that protects against bone loss.
- Osteoporosis tends to run in families.
- People of European and Asian background are at higher risk.
- Lifestyle (smoking, lack of weight-bearing exercise, drinking too much alcohol).
- Not getting enough calcium and vitamin D.
Treatments
It's important to find and treat osteoporosis early to prevent bone fractures. Experts advise bone density testing for women age 65 and older. If you have a higher risk for fractures, testing should be done even sooner.
Medical treatment reduces bone loss and builds bone thickness. You also need to take in enough calcium and vitamin D to build strong, healthy bones. Osteoporosis can be slowed with healthy habits. If you smoke, quit. Get more exercise, including walking, jogging, dancing and lifting weights. Eat healthful foods rich in calcium and vitamin D (yogurt, cheese and milk for calcium; eggs, fatty fish and fortified cereal for vitamin D).
When you have osteoporosis, it's important to protect against falls. Make your home safer by ensuring there’s enough light, stairs have handrails and tripping hazards like throw rugs and clutter are removed.