Osteoporosis is a disease that results in the bones becoming more porous, which can result in fragility and bone breaks. Osteoporosis affects an estimated 10 million people with osteoporosis and an additional 34 million people in the United States with low bone density. The disease affects mostly women, but 20% of people with osteoporosis are men. Prevention of bone loss and early treatment are the best options.
Osteoporosis puts the individual at increased risk of bone fractures, especially dangerous hip fractures. Fracturing the hip can result in disability and even death. In addition, the health care costs of osteoporosis are estimated at $17 billion dollars each year.
Low calcium intake contributes to bone loss. Poor diet is a contributing factor of osteoporosis. Approximately 65% of Americans fail to get the minimum recommended daily calcium. Getting enough calcium is important throughout life, especially in the teens, childbearing years and beyond for the prevention of this disease.
Diagnosis, prevention and treatment are essential for limiting the damage caused by low bone mass and osteoporosis. In fact, many women have low bone mass and are at increased risk of osteoporosis don’t know they have a problem. Too often, the problem is only diagnosed after a fracture has occurred. For this reason, it is important for patients to understand the risk and visit the doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
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