Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones," causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. In many cases, bones weaken when you have low levels of calcium and other minerals in your bones.
A common result of Osteoporosis is fractures — most of them occur in the spine, hip or wrist. Although it's often thought of as a women's disease, Osteoporosis affects men too. And aside from people who have Osteoporosis, many others have low bone density, putting them at risk of developing Osteoporosis.
It's never too late — or too early — to do something about Osteoporosis. You can take steps to keep bones strong and healthy throughout life.
