Because there are typically no symptoms until the first fracture occurs, osteoporosis is considered a silent disease. Some call it a silent killer . Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by decreased bone density and strength, leading to fragile, brittle bones that increase the risk of fractures, especially in the spine, hips and wrists.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that more than 10 million Americans have osteoporosis . Another 43 million have low bone mass, which is the precursor to osteoporosis . By 2030, the number of adults with osteoporosis or low bone mass is estimated to increase by more than 30%, to 71 million .
The reasons for the increase include lifestyle issues, particularly smoking, lack of physical activity and alcohol abuse. Our aging population, along with the insufficient attention paid to this disease, are also why osteoporosis is on the rise. If you are older, it may be discouraging to read those statistics.
But as orthopedic specialists who have studied this disease, we know that osteoporosis is not inevitable. The key to having healthy bones for a lifetime is to take some simple preventive measures – and the earlier, the better. Although the symptoms are not obvious early on, certain signs will indicate your bones are becoming weaker.
The most serious complications of osteoporosis are fractures , which can lead to chronic pain, hospitalization, disability, depression, reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Worldwide, .
