Osteoporosis means "porous bone".  It  is a bone condition characterized by low bone density and deterioration of bone strength, leading to bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. It is often referred to as a silent disease because there are often no symptoms of bone loss until the bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump, or fall causes a fracture.  

 

     The older people get, the more fragile their bones generally become. Certain medical conditions, such as Cushing’s disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism, can also contribute to the development of osteoporosis.

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     Menopause in women results in a reduction of estrogen that protect bone mass. This is the reason why nearly four times more women suffer from osteoporosis than men. 

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     The U.S. National Institutes of Health reports that “one out of every two women and one in four men age 50 and over will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.”