Osteoporosis, which literally means "porous bones", is a silent disease characterized by low bone mass, brittle bones and deteriorated bone tissue. If left untreated, osteoporosis can worsen until a fracture or crack in the bone occurs, typically in the hip, spine or wrist. Learn how to build stronger bones and prevent osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Facts

• Osteoporosis is a serious condition. Osteoporosis leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture, particularly of the hip, spine and wrist. 1 in 3 persons with hip fractures suffers significant loss of function, while 1 in 5 people dies within a year of sustaining a hip fracture.
  
  
• Osteoporosis has no early warning signs. Osteoporosis is often known as a "silent" disease because bone loss occurs without symptoms during the early stages. However, symptoms that appear during the later stages include:
  ▪ Loss of height over time
  ▪ Back pain
  ▪ Fractures of the hips, spine, wrists or other bones.
  
  
• Osteoporosis prevention starts early in life. Building an optimal bone mass during your childhood and adolescence is critical in osteoporosis prevention later on in life. Bone mass generally peaks at around the age of 30, after which bone is lost faster than can be replaced and your bones become weaker and less dense.