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What is osteoporosis? - What are the Risk Factors pdf - (copy)

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Calcium, Vitamin D and Osteoporosis - pdf - (copy)

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OSTEOPOROSIS AUSTRALIA
www.osteoporosis.org.au ... (Copy of information sheets - reviewed 2011)

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle, leading to a higher risk of fractures (breaks or cracks) than in normal bone.

Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than the body can replace them, leading to a loss of bone thickness (bone mass or density). As a result, bones become thinner and less dense, so that even a minor bump or accident can cause serious fractures. These are known as fragility or minimal trauma fractures.

Any bone can be affected by osteoporosis, but the most common sites are bones in the hip, spine, wrist, ribs, pelvis and upper arm. Osteoporosis usually has no signs or symptoms until a fracture happens - this is why osteoporosis is often called the 'silent disease'.

Fractures due to osteoporosis (osteoporotic fractures) can lead to changes in posture (eg developing a stoop or Dowager's hump in your back), muscle weakness, loss of height and bone deformity of the spine. Fractures can lead to chronic pain, disability, loss of independence and even premature death.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

NEVDGP entry - Check out "slow moving weight bearing exercise" Australian video
www.osteoexercisevideo.com