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 Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and
fragile. If left untreated, it can lead to bone fractures. The good
news is that it is preventable. Building strong bones during childhood
and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis
later.
You can use the http://members.kaiserpermanente.org/kpweb/healthcalc/calciumcounter.do Calcium Counter to get a rough estimate of how much calcium you get from your diet. You can also download our brochure "Calcium and Vitamin D" to find a listing of foods high in calcium. Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because bone loss occurs without symptoms. Although it is thought of an older person’s disease, it can strike at any age. In women, menopause also increases the risk of osteoporosis because the natural production of the hormone estrogen declines. Women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the 5-7 years following menopause. Ten million Americans currently have osteoporosis. Another 18 million have low bone mass, called ostopenia, which places them at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis. Women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease. One in two women, and one in four men, over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in his/her lifetime. The Bone Mineral Density test (BMD) can measure the strength of your bones. This test is generally not performed until after menopause, unless you are at high risk for osteoporosis. This is a quick, painless, and non-invasive test. We at Kaiser Permanente encourage you to talk with your physician about osteoporosis to better understand your own risk for the disease as well as available prevention and treatment options.
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