What is Osteoporosis?Osteoporosis is a disease where bones become thin, lacking in hard calcium and liable to break easily. Breaks occur most commonly at the wrist, hip and spine. Breakages in the spine may not be noticed, but can gradually lead to loss of height and a spine that is bent forward (Dowager's Hump). Breakages of the hip are dangerous in that up to 20% of patients will die within one year. More women die from hip fractures than from cancer of the ovaries, cervix and womb combined. Bone is at its strongest and healthiest and the age of 35 or so. After that the bones will gradually lose calicum, and get waeker. This loss of calcium is increased in women after the menopause. But men may also get osteoporosis, espically if they are taking certain medications, or suffer from chronic ill health. |