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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones," causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. In many cases, bones weaken when you have low levels of calcium and other minerals in your bones.
A common result of osteoporosis is fractures — most of them occur in the spine, hip or wrist. Although it's often thought of as a women's disease, osteoporosis affects men too. And aside from people who have osteoporosis, many others have low bone density, putting them at risk of developing osteoporosis.
It's never too late — or too early — to do something about osteoporosis. You can take steps to keep bones strong and healthy throughout life.
- Osteoporosis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00232. Accessed Oct. 26, 2009.
- 2. Osteoporosis overview. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/overview.pdf. Accessed Oct. 26, 2009.
- Invest in your bones: Beat the break. International Osteoporosis Foundation. http://www.iofbonehealth.org/download/osteofound/filemanager/publications/pdf/beat-the-break-english.pdf. Accessed Oct. 26, 2009.
- BMD testing: What the numbers mean. National Osteoporosis Foundation. http://www.nof.org/osteoporosis/bmdtest.htm. Accessed Oct. 26, 2009.
- Osteoporosis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec04/ch036/ch036a.html. Accessed Oct. 13, 2009.
- Raisz LG. Pathogenesis of osteoporosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2009.
- Diem SJ, et al. Use of antidepressants and rates of hip bone loss in older women: The study of osteoporotic fractures. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2007;167:1240.
- Haney EM, et al. Association of low bone mineral density with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use by older men. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2007;167:1246.
- Rosen HN, et al. Overview of the management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2009.
- Finkelstein JS. Treatment of osteoporosis in men. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2009.
- Dietary reference intakes for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and fluoride. Institute of Medicine. http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=5776. Accessed Oct. 26, 2009.
