Osteoporosis is a condition affecting bones. The name itself, loosely translated, means “porous bone.” Your body continuously replaces bone tissue as it breaks down normally. Osteoporosis occurs when the speed with which the bone tissue breaks down exceeds the level of tissue replacement. Bones become brittle, and you become more susceptible to breaking one or more of them.

It is a common misconception that osteoporosis is a woman’s disease. In fact, the condition affects men and women. However, women are indeed at particular risk after going through menopause. Moreover, studies show that white and Asian women are among the groups with the highest risk factors. Another risk factor can be reliance on steroid-containing medications or the presence of cancer, Celiac disease, or rheumatoid arthritis.

What makes osteoporosis so challenging is that you will not know your bone mass has decreased until you actually break a bone. It can happen during everyday activities, such as bending down and picking up or lifting an item. You might even break a rib from coughing. Breaks caused by osteoporosis are the types that you would not experience if the bones were healthy.

A doctor may diagnose you with osteoporosis if you present with a loss of height or notable change in posture. The doctor might order a bone mineral density test of your hip or spine. One of the most common tests is dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, which is quick, painless, and non-invasive.

If you receive an osteoporosis diagnosis, your doctor can offer you treatment options. Several medications currently on the market help counteract a higher risk of bone fractures. These are medications you fill at the pharmacy and take at home. That said, there are also injectable medications that you would receive once every six months. These prevent further degeneration of the bones. Other injectables build new bone tissue.

Preventing osteoporosis is possible. Of course, osteoporosis does not have to become part of your life. You can prevent this bone tissue disease with a few simple steps. For example, supplement your calcium. Women over the age of 50 and men over 70 should ingest 1,200 milligrams. Consider supplementation, enjoy dark leafy veggies, and reach for calcium-fortified products. Vitamin D goes hand in hand with calcium because it helps the body absorb it. A good goal is a daily intake of 600 international units each day. If you take a multi-vitamin, you probably already get enough.