Men and women get osteoporosis. Only women are more susceptible, 80% of those who are affected by the disease are women.

Osteoporosis is not a normal part of aging. It is a fact that you lose bone density with age, but you should continue to have good bone strength, and you should not develop osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is not only a concern for the elderly. Your bones build density from infancy through adulthood. Most people have reached maximum bone density by age 35.

Osteoporosis is not strictly hereditary. Women with a family history of osteoporosis do have an increased risk, but not having a family history doesn't make you a less likely candidate. Steroids, certain kidney diseases, vitamin D deficiency, some hormonal diseases such as thyroid disorders, Cushing's syndrome and certain types of cancer can be factors.

Broken bones are not the only way to tell if you have osteoporosis. There are other indicators like loss in height or change in posture. A bone density test should be done every few years, especially for women entering menopause.

Osteoporosis can be prevented. Building strong bones starts in childhood, but adults can take preventive steps too. Adequate nutrition, good calcium intake, exercise and adequate vitamin D supplementation are all important.

Osteoporosis often results in painful and debilitating fractures. These injuries can have significant long-term consequences, leaving the individuals with chronic pain, loss of height, and impaired ability to do the things they need to do to care for themselves, such as dress, bathe, walk, and take care of their household.

The emotional toll of osteoporosis is very real. Having a fracture, or even seeing yourself as more "fragile" than you once thought you were, can lead to a negative body image, poor self-esteem, and a sense of limitations in activity and mobility.

If diagnosed, osteoporosis can be treated with a variety of new osteoporosis medications that help to prevent bone loss and rebuild bone. These osteoporosis treatments can substantially reduce your risk of developing dangerous and potentially deadly bone fractures.

Fractures in individuals over the age of 50 can be the first sign of weak bones from osteoporosis or low bone mass. If you are over 50, any broken bone should be taken very seriously. You may think to yourself, "Anyone would have broken a bone after taking a fall like that," but a break after a fall in people over 50 may be a critical sign of osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about whether you should have a bone density test to determine if your fracture could be due to osteoporosis.