What is osteoporosis? It’s a disease in which the bones become thinner and weaker and are susceptible to fractures. It can affect any bone, but the hips, vertebral bodies and wrists are of special concern. Estrogen depletion after menopause is the main reason women are more commonly affected than men. Men get osteoporosis too, though not as frequently as women.Women sometimes come to my office complaining of terrible back pain. The cause turns out to be a fracture in the vertebrae of the spine, yet patients have no idea they’re experiencing broken bones.

That’s because it doesn’t always take a fall or impact to cause a break. If the osteoporosis is severe enough, bones can simply collapse.To help prevent the onset of osteoporosis, post-menopause, you need at least 500 milligrams of Calcium three times a day and 400 international units of vitamin D daily for someone who doesn’t get outside much - it helps absorb the Calcium.

If you have no special risk factors, you should start bone density screenings at age 65 - younger if risk factors are indicated.Special risk factors for osteoporosis include smoking, sedentary lifestyle, estrogen depletion through surgery (such as hysterectomy) before age 45, family history of unexplained fractures before 50, and personal unexplained fractures (not from snowboarding, for instance) before age 50.