Rehab Select Blog

Osteoporosis is a condition that results in the weakening of an individual's bones. Typically, this occurs in the latter stages of life. Those that have osteoporosis have a higher risk of experiencing a bone fracture. In fact, because their bones are weakened, there's a chance that they may damage one of their joints – knee, wrist, and hip fractures are some of the more common osteoporosis-related injuries, which often necessitates joint replacement surgery.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 54 million people either already have osteoporosis or are at high risk for developing the disease due to low bone mass. The consequences of this very common and often debilitating disease can be severe and in some cases, even life threatening. Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis, and serious fractures in the hip or spine are among the most common. Knowing what steps to take to preserve bone health is essential. So what can be done to prevent osteoporosis, or, for those already diagnosed with the disease, minimize its effects?

Osteoporosis affects the strength and density of bones. If you have been diagnosed with it, chances are you have a lot of questions about how the disease will impact your body. While the effects vary greatly from one person to another depending upon the severity of the disease and its rate of progression, there are some issues that many osteoporosis sufferers have in common. Here we'll outline the most common effects of this disease on the body to help you gain insight into problems you may find yourself dealing with in the years to come.

Osteoporosis is a common and often debilitating disease that affects the strength and density of the bones, causing them to become weak, brittle, and prone to fractures. It is most common in people over the age of 50, affecting one of every two women and one of every six men in that age group. So what is the long term impact of osteoporosis on the health and well-being of people affected by this disease?

About half of all women in the U.S. and a quarter of all men will be diagnosed with osteoporosis. Some will be diagnosed through bone density screening tests, while others will find out after suffering a serious bone fracture. Hearing that you have osteoporosis is never a pleasant experience. However, the good news is that bone strength and density can be improved with osteoporosis treatment, slowing progression of the disease, and lifestyle changes and exercise can help as well.

Bone mass and density naturally decline as we reach age 30, and depending on the rate of that decline, can lead to osteoporosis later in life. Fortunately, there are things we can do to protect and/or improve bone health, reducing risk of developing this very common disease. Here are tips on improving bone health that can help you keep your bones strong and healthy.

Osteoporosis is characterized by deterioration in the strength and density of bones, causing them to become fragile. It happens when a person loses too much bone tissue and/or their body isn't able to make enough to maintain bone health. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 54 million Americans have osteoporosis -- or low bone density -- that places them at risk, and about one in two women and one in four men over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Given those statistics, knowing about prevention is essential, as is learning about osteoporosis treatment for those who are affected by the disease.