What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition where bone tissue has been lost and weakened so the bones are more likely to fracture. The spine, hip and wrist are the most common fracture sites but any bone can be affected. Osteoporosis will affect around two in every three women and one in six men over the age of 60.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Heredity and a tendency to lose bone as we age are the primary causes of osteoporosis, beginning around 30-40 years of age. The rate of loss accelerates for women at the time of menopause as oestrogen is somewhat protective of bone up to that time. Lifestyle behaviours such as inactivity and inadequate dietary calcium and vitamin D also increase risk.
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