Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis makes your bones weak and more likely to break. Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but it is common in older women. As many as half of all women and a quarter of men older than 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

Risk factors include

1. Getting older
   
2. Being small and thin
   
3. Having a family history of osteoporosis
   
4. Taking certain medicines
   
5. Being a white or Asian woman
   
6. Having osteopenia, which is low bone mass.

Osteoporosis is a silent disease. You might not know you have it until you break a bone. A bone mineral density test is the best way to check your bone health. To keep bones strong, eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercise and do not smoke. If needed, medicines can also help.

Taken From : National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases