Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens and speeds up bone loss, making bones especially fragile and likely to break. It is characterized by low bone mass and degenerating of the bone tissue, leading to spontaneous and insidious fractures and deformities.
How common is it?
Osteoporosis affects about 10 million Americans, and more than 33 million are at risk of developing it. It is more common in older, postmenopausal women, but can also strike 1 in 5 men aged 50 and older.
So what causes it? There are a number of risk factors that contribute to osteoporosis:
How can you prevent it? Early prevention is key. From childhood and through adolescence you can build up peak bone mass to delay or prevent osteoporosis later in life. Some tips:
It's also important to catch it early! Speak with your doctor about assessing your bone mineral density (BMD), especially if you have risk factors. Treatments are more effective when started earlier. Vitality Wellness Clinic provides advanced hormone optimization therapy proven to treat osteoporosis and restore health and vitality. Let our experts conduct a personalized assessment and design a customized regimen just for you! But as always, speak with your doctor first about the best approach. Prevention and early detection are vital for maintaining stronger bones, avoiding fractures and living well as you age.